The Ghana Association of International Education Consultants (GAIEC) has cautioned students and parents to approach international education as a long term academic and career investment rather than simply an opportunity to travel abroad.
The caution was given during a GAIEC Public Lecture held on Friday on the theme “Making the Right Choice; A Guide to International Education.”
The programme brought together education consultants and international education professionals to discuss how students and families can make informed decisions about study destinations, institutions, programmes, admissions, scholarships, visa applications and life after graduation.
GAIEC says it seeks to promote transparency, fairness, professionalism and ethical standards within Ghana’s international education consultancy sector.
Choose a programme with the future in mind
Speaking during the discussion, Dr. Owusu Boakye said one of the major mistakes students make is choosing a programme without considering what they intend to do after completing their studies.
He said students must first understand their career objectives and then identify programmes and institutions that can help them achieve those objectives.
Dr. Boakye cited the example of a student who decided to study philosophy simply because that was what the student wanted to pursue without adequately considering the career path after graduation.
He explained that after four years of study, the student obtained a one year Optional Practical Training opportunity but was unable to secure employment leaving the student with the option of pursuing further studies.
According to him, students must therefore ask themselves an important question before choosing a programme: “After that, then what?”
He also cautioned students against choosing courses based on the experiences of friends and relatives.
He said what worked for one person may not necessarily work for another because students have different academic qualifications, financial situations, career goals and personal circumstances.
Dr. Boakye further warned against selecting programmes simply because they are perceived to offer easier visa pathways or because they have become popular.
He said a programme should make both academic and career sense.
He also urged students to look beyond tuition fees and consider accommodation, food, transportation and other living expenses before committing to study abroad.
Dr. Boakye stressed that students should carefully examine three key areas ‘the country, the institution and the programme’ before making their decision.
A strong application must tell the student’s story
Education consultant Ismail Muslim said an international education application should be regarded as an extension of the applicant.
He described an application as the student’s story and said applicants must first conduct a personal assessment to establish their career objectives.
According to him, students should ask themselves what they want to become what kind of work they want to do and what qualifications and skills are required to enter that profession.
He explained that once a student identifies a career path the next step should be researching the specific academic and professional qualifications required for that career.
Mr. Muslim used the example of a student interested in becoming an auto mechanic saying the student should research the specific job opportunities, skills and qualifications required before selecting an appropriate programme.
He said after identifying the programme the student must then determine which institution offers the programme and whether the institution’s requirements match the student’s current qualifications.
He particularly urged applicants to pay attention to course specific entry requirements rather than relying only on general university admission requirements.
He said where an applicant does not meet a particular requirement, the student should identify what additional qualification or documentation is needed and take the necessary steps to obtain it before applying.
CV and personal statement are critical
Mr. Muslim said academic qualifications alone do not necessarily make an application competitive.
He emphasised the importance of a well prepared CV, saying professional and practical experience can help distinguish one applicant from another when universities are selecting students for programmes with limited places.
He said students should not treat the CV as an ordinary piece of paper but should prepare it carefully to reflect their academic background, professional experience, internships and other relevant achievements.
He also identified the personal statement or statement of purpose as a critical component of the application.
Mr. Muslim explained that where many applicants meet the minimum academic requirements the personal statement can help an institution determine why one applicant should be selected over another.
He said applicants should clearly explain why they chose a particular course why they selected a particular university and what they intend to do after completing their studies.
He added that students should demonstrate that they have researched their chosen institution and understand how the programme fits into their long-term career plans.
He also advised applicants to obtain meaningful references that communicate their skills, experience and capabilities rather than relying solely on generic recommendations.
Scholarships require preparation
On scholarships, Mr. Muslim described education as an investment and explained that scholarships should be understood as awards rather than automatic financial support.
He said scholarships are generally granted based on specific eligibility requirements and achievements.
He mentioned government scholarships, merit based scholarships, automatic scholarships, partial scholarships and tuition discounts among the different forms of financial support available to students.
According to him, students must carefully study the requirements of each scholarship and determine whether they qualify before applying.
He encouraged students who are still in university and hope to secure scholarships in future to begin building their profiles early.
He said activities such as voluntary work, community engagement and projects that demonstrate impact can strengthen a student’s profile.
Tuition payment does not guarantee a visa
The discussion then turned to student visas, with Mr. Muslim cautioning against several misconceptions surrounding the visa process.
He explained that student visa applications are different from applications for tourist or visitor visas and warned students against assuming that the process used by a friend or relative would automatically work for them.
He said visa applications are assessed according to the merits of each case the evidence provided and the immigration policies in force at the time of application.
He therefore cautioned students against simply copying an application submitted by a friend a year or two earlier because immigration policies may have changed.
Mr. Muslim also dispelled the belief that paying tuition fees automatically guarantees visa approval.
He said paying tuition is only one part of the overall process and applicants must still satisfy the relevant visa requirements and provide the necessary evidence.
Financial capacity is crucial
Mr. Muslim said financial documentation is important because authorities need to be satisfied that international students have the resources required to live and study in the destination country.
He explained that students who travel without adequate financial preparation may become overly dependent on employment opportunities and spend more time working than studying.
According to him, such financial pressure can affect academic performance prevent students from graduating successfully and ultimately reduce their ability to benefit from opportunities after graduation.
He therefore advised students to ensure they can adequately fund their education and living expenses.
He also explained that a genuine student should have a clear intention to study, complete the programme and graduate.
Such a student, he said, should also understand where the chosen education fits into their long term career plans and have the financial capacity to support their studies without depending on public funds.
‘Guaranteed visa’ promises are a red flag
Education consultant Roni Lawson described promises of guaranteed visas as one of the biggest warning signs students should look out for.
She said no education consultant can guarantee a visa because the final decision rests with the relevant immigration authorities.
Ms. Lawson said this remains the case even for professionals who may have considerable experience in international education, immigration or previous work with diplomatic missions.
She urged students who encounter agents promising guaranteed visas to treat such claims as a major red flag.
According to her, students should also be concerned when an agent offers to manufacture or manipulate documents to strengthen an application.
She warned that while a genuine visa refusal may still leave an applicant with the opportunity to correct mistakes and reapply, submitting false information can create much more serious and long term immigration problems.
Ms. Lawson said some applicants have later discovered that information submitted on their behalf did not accurately represent their circumstances.
She therefore advised students to ensure that they know what is being submitted in their name and to work with credible professionals.
Look beyond the visa
Ms. Lawson also urged prospective students to think beyond simply securing admission and obtaining a visa.
She said students should consider their long-term immigration and career plans and understand the consequences of decisions made during the initial application.
She cautioned against attempting to circumvent immigration restrictions by moving from one country to another after problems with a previous application.
According to her, immigration authorities may share information, and inconsistencies or misrepresentation can become problematic particularly when an individual later seeks a more permanent immigration status.
Life abroad comes with realities
Ms. Lawson said students and parents often focus heavily on the excitement of receiving a visa and arriving at the airport but fail to prepare adequately for life after arrival.
She said students may have to deal with accommodation challenges, food costs, transportation, culture shock, homesickness, language barriers and unexpected financial pressures.
She therefore urged parents to have an emergency plan and financial cushion because unexpected situations can arise.
She cited an instance where a parent had to travel to the United Kingdom within a short period after a student experienced serious difficulties after arrival.
Ms. Lawson also cautioned students against building their financial plans around part-time employment.
She said although students in some countries may be permitted to work under specific conditions, there is no guarantee that they will immediately secure employment.
She explained that some students may find jobs within weeks while others may go months without employment.
Language, she added, can also affect access to employment opportunities in some countries.
She therefore urged students to travel with sufficient financial preparation and treat employment as an additional opportunity rather than their primary means of survival.
Networking and volunteering matter
Ms. Lawson further emphasised that obtaining an academic certificate alone may not be enough to secure career success.
She encouraged students to begin networking from the moment they arrive on campus.
Students, she said, should participate in campus activities, clubs, group projects, career fairs and other programmes that allow them to interact with people outside their immediate circles.
She said relationships developed during university can become important professional bridges in the future.
She also encouraged students to consider volunteering even when such activities do not provide immediate financial rewards.
According to her, volunteering can strengthen a student’s CV and demonstrate a willingness to contribute to the community beyond personal financial interests.
She urged students to take advantage of career fairs and other opportunities where they can meet employers, professionals and organisations.
Education should be a long term investment
The moderator, Dinah Aborhey, summed up the central message of the discussion by stressing that the starting point for international education should not simply be finding out where a student can travel.
Rather, students should first determine what they want to achieve, and then identify the country, institution and programme that genuinely fit their academic, financial and career circumstances.
The lecture therefore emphasised that international education requires careful planning from the initial choice of programme through admissions, scholarships, visa applications and financial preparation to life after arrival.
The speakers urged students and families to seek accurate information, avoid shortcuts and resist pressure from individuals who make unrealistic promises.
They stressed that studying abroad should not be viewed simply as obtaining a foreign qualification but as a carefully planned investment in education, professional development and long term career prospects.
By: Michael Walier
Email: [email protected]
