Skip to content

GitLab

  • Projects
  • Groups
  • Snippets
  • Help
    • Loading...
  • Help
    • Help
    • Support
    • Submit feedback
  • Sign in / Register
J
jianmu-supplemental
  • Project overview
    • Project overview
    • Details
    • Activity
    • Releases
  • Repository
    • Repository
    • Files
    • Commits
    • Branches
    • Tags
    • Contributors
    • Graph
    • Compare
  • Issues 26,871
    • Issues 26,871
    • List
    • Boards
    • Labels
    • Service Desk
    • Milestones
  • Merge Requests 58
    • Merge Requests 58
  • CI / CD
    • CI / CD
    • Pipelines
    • Jobs
    • Schedules
  • Analytics
    • Analytics
    • CI / CD
    • Repository
    • Value Stream
  • Wiki
    • Wiki
  • Snippets
    • Snippets
  • Members
    • Members
  • Collapse sidebar
  • Activity
  • Graph
  • Create a new issue
  • Jobs
  • Commits
  • Issue Boards
  • compiler_staff
  • jianmu-supplemental
  • Issues
  • #27026

Closed
Open
Opened Feb 25, 2026 by Jenny devin@jennydevin
  • Report abuse
  • New issue
Report abuse New issue

Is Studying Abroad Worth It for Indian Students? A Real Cost vs Return Breakdown

Planning-Study-Abroad-1-jpg

At some point, every student (and every parent) asks this question:

“Is studying abroad actually worth it?”

Because let’s be honest — it’s expensive.
You’re investing lakhs of rupees, moving to a new country, and stepping into uncertainty.

So instead of giving a motivational answer, let’s break it down the real way:

Cost vs Return.

First: what are you actually paying for?

Most students think they’re paying only for tuition.

But your total cost includes:

  • Tuition fees
  • Accommodation
  • Food and daily expenses
  • Visa and insurance
  • Flights
  • First month setup

So your investment is not small.

Which is why this question matters.

he 3 types of “returns” you get (not just salary)

1) Career exposure (this is the biggest return)

Studying abroad gives you:

  • International work exposure
  • Access to global companies
  • Practical learning
  • Internship opportunities

Even if your first job is not “high paying,” your long-term career exposure improves.

2) Skill development (this changes you)

Abroad, you learn things beyond the classroom:

  • Communication
  • Independence
  • Time management
  • Problem solving
  • Adaptability

These are not just “soft skills.” They directly impact your career growth.

3) Global perspective (underrated but powerful)

You interact with:

  • Students from different countries
  • Different cultures
  • Different ways of thinking

This changes how you see opportunities.

But let’s be honest: it’s not worth it for everyone

Studying abroad is NOT worth it if:

  • You choose a random course
  • You don’t build skills
  • You depend only on part-time jobs
  • You don’t plan your finances
  • You expect instant high salary

Because then the return becomes weak.

The biggest myth: “I’ll recover everything in 1–2 years”

This is not always true.

Some students:

  • Take time to get a job
  • Start with entry-level salary
  • Face initial struggle

So your mindset should be:

  • Long-term growth
  • Not instant recovery

When studying abroad becomes worth it

It becomes worth it when:

  • Your course has job demand
  • You build skills (not just attend classes)
  • You do internships
  • You network
  • You stay consistent

In short:
Your return depends more on your actions than your university name.

The money side (because this is the biggest concern)

Since the investment is high, financial planning is important.

Many students explore education loan options through an NBFC to manage tuition, living, and setup costs without putting full pressure on family savings.

This helps students focus on studies instead of constant money stress.

Before making a final decision, it’s smart to check your eligibility early so you understand what financial support range is realistic for your profile.

This helps you decide whether your study abroad plan is practical or needs adjustment.

A simple cost vs return mindset (student version)

Cost:

  • Money
  • Time
  • Effort
  • Comfort zone

Return:

  • Career opportunities
  • Skill growth
  • Global exposure
  • Long-term earning potential

If you focus only on cost → it feels scary.
If you understand return → it feels like an investment.

So… is it worth it?

YES, if:

  • You choose the right course
  • You plan finances properly
  • You build skills actively
  • You stay patient

NO, if:

  • You follow trends blindly
  • You don’t prepare
  • You expect shortcuts

Conclusion: it’s not about abroad, it’s about how you use it

Studying abroad is not automatically life-changing.

It becomes life-changing when you:

  • Use the opportunities
  • Stay consistent
  • Build skills
  • And make smart decisions

So don’t ask only:
“Is it worth it?”

Ask:
“Will I make it worth it?”

Assignee
Assign to
None
Milestone
None
Assign milestone
Time tracking
None
Due date
None
0
Labels
None
Assign labels
  • View project labels
Reference: compiler_staff/jianmu-supplemental#27026