For Indian students, going overseas means that their university life is not just about classes. Rent, food, transport, working, accommodation and adapting to a new system can impact their journey as much as the course itself.

Ruchi Tikoo, currently pursuing an MSc in Marketing and Strategy at University of Warwick, has found her journey consisted of not just adapting to the system of independent learning but also of applying twice and finding a part-time job that covers half her needs.

Ruchi had started preparing in 2023 for her overseas education. She had made a shortlist of 10 to 15 universities in Australia, the US and the UK based on QS and Times rankings. She applied to six or seven universities

Her first applications were in November 2023, with offers coming in December and January from two Australian universities. However, she decided not to accept them immediately and defer the offers as she had more options available and wanted to skip an academic year

"I wanted to redo my applications properly and apply to the universities which were a better fit," she said.

She began the process again in September 2024, giving herself enough time to resubmit applications. This time, she rewrote her statements of purpose and recommendation letters, and prioritised her preferred US universities before applying to universities in the UK. The University of Warwick eventually accepted her application.

According to Ruchi, applying to an overseas university is not just about submitting your applications. Alongside her four applications, she had to complete SOPs, written assessments and video interviews. She had to coordinate letters of recommendation with others, which could hold the application process up.

Each application took about 15 to 20 days to complete.

Her advice to future students is to not leave the process until the last minute. Apart from the stress, applying early can open doors to scholarships, which are given out on a rolling basis

While part-time jobs can help, you must not rely on them entirely

Ruchi said for international students, it can be difficult to deal with expenses on a day-to-day basis. Finding a job requires effort, with Ruchi having applied to nearly 15 to 20 jobs before being shortlisted for two. Attending interviews and eventually starting her first job, she said it helped her pay for roughly half her needs.

However, she warned students not to count on a job immediately as she had to apply regularly and be ready to face rejections.

Accommodation can decide the opportunities you have

Where a student stays can also decide how easy it can be to get to places. Ruchi, who stayed off campus, said the choice to stay close to the city meant she had to take a bus to the university each day. However, it meant she was close to shopping, work and socialising areas.

She said making the choice meant her chances of landing a part-time job improved and helped her network more with people.

When it came to making the decision, she encouraged students to consider rent, food and transport together and not separately. It, she said, was a matter of if walking to campus was more important than finding a place of work nearby.

Adapting to a new educational system can be overwhelming

The system in the UK can be overwhelming for new students, Ruchi said. Students are expected to be much more independent, with classes divided between online, workshops, lectures and self-study

They are expected to complete readings and classwork before attending workshops, where they are assumed to know the material.

"Initially it was confusing. It takes time to understand how much responsibility is on the student," she said.

She eventually got used to the system and found that it encouraged students to take their studies seriously and independently.

Careers guidance, according to Ruchi, is an area where universities can help overseas students. With the careers team at Warwick providing information on graduate roles and other short-term opportunities, they also advise students on what employers are looking for

They also provide more practical advice, such as how to improve CVs and cover letters according to specific job roles, preparing students for more formal applications in the future.

Tips for Indian students

Ruchi's experiences show that while studying overseas can be life-changing, it is also full of day-to-day decisions that can affect a student's experience. From choosing the right university to where a student stays or how they manage finances, each one has an impact.

Her main piece of advice is to plan early and understand what each university wants

"It is not that difficult to get into an international or Russell Group university. You just have to customise your applications well."

For Indian students considering the UK, her experiences offer an insight into how overseas education can be valuable but also challenging.

Indian students and technology professionals planning to build careers in the United States could face significantly higher immigration costs as the Trump administration moves to change fees for the H-1B work visa and F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme.

The situation has developed rapidly. While the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had earlier begun regulatory work on both proposals, the US government has now formally proposed a $103,265 additional fee for H-1B cap-subject petitions. The proposal was published in the Federal Register on August 25 and is open to public comment.

The separate proposal concerning an OPT fee remains under development. Immigration law firm Fragomen said DHS had sent the proposed OPT fee rule to the Office of Management and Budget for review on August 20. The exact amount has not been confirmed, although media reports have suggested a possible charge of up to $100,000.

What is the proposed H-1B fee?

Under the new proposal, DHS would establish an additional $103,265 fee for H-1B cap-subject petitions, including cases eligible for the advanced-degree exemption.

The proposed charge would be payable when the petition is filed and would come on top of other applicable H-1B fees. DHS estimates that the measure could generate around $8.8 billion annually based on approximately 85,000 cap-subject petitions.

The proposal would not apply to all H-1B cases. Certain cap-exempt petitions, including those filed by qualifying higher-education institutions and research organisations, would be excluded.

Why are Indians particularly affected?

Indian professionals have an outsized presence in the H-1B programme. According to USCIS data, 71% of approved H-1B petitions in FY 2024 involved beneficiaries born in India, compared with about 12% for China.

A steep increase in employer costs could therefore have significant implications for Indian technology professionals, US companies hiring foreign workers and students hoping to transition from education into employment.

What about the possible OPT fee?

The proposed OPT charge could be even more significant for international students because OPT is generally a student-driven employment authorisation process.

International students typically complete a US degree on an F-1 visa and then use OPT to gain work experience related to their field of study. STEM graduates may qualify for a further STEM OPT extension.

Fragomen has confirmed that DHS is pursuing a new OPT fee proposal, but the contents remain confidential until the proposal is formally released. Reports of a possible $100,000 OPT fee are not yet a confirmed government charge.

What happened to the earlier $100,000 H-1B fee?

The latest proposal follows last year's controversial attempt to impose a $100,000 payment requirement on certain new H-1B petitions.

That earlier measure faced legal challenges and was subsequently blocked by a federal court. The new DHS proposal uses a different regulatory mechanism, seeking to establish the $103,265 amount as a separate fee under federal regulations.

What does this mean for Indian students?

For Indian students considering US universities, the potential financial impact could extend beyond tuition and living expenses.

The F-1 → OPT → H-1B pathway is an important route for international graduates seeking professional employment in the US. A substantial OPT charge could make the first employment stage considerably more expensive, while the proposed H-1B fee could increase the cost for employers sponsoring workers.

However, students should not treat the reported $100,000 OPT figure as final. No such OPT fee has been officially confirmed yet.

For now, the H-1B proposal is also not final. It must go through the regulatory process and public-comment period before it can take effect.

Rajendra Dawadi's quick decisions reportedly saved 1,643 students when a devastating glacier-triggered flash flood swept through Nepal's Trishuli Valley.

A routine school morning turned into a desperate race for survival when a massive glacier-triggered flash flood tore through Nepal's Trishuli Valley, sending water, ice, rocks and mud surging through villages.

At the centre of the dramatic rescue was Rajendra Dawadi, a 47-year-old English teacher and principal of Tribhuvan Trishuli Secondary School, whose split-second decisions reportedly helped save the lives of 1,643 children.

According to reports, the disaster struck at around 9:20 am on a Wednesday, when nearly 900 students were attending the school's early shift while hundreds of other children were travelling to the campus on foot and by school buses.

A Phone Call That Triggered the Evacuation

Dawadi reportedly received a frantic phone call from a friend in Betrawati, located several kilometres upstream. His friend warned him that their village had been devastated by the rapidly advancing flood and urged him to escape immediately.

Initially, Dawadi believed the three-storey concrete school building was safe because it stood around 60 metres above the riverbed. However, the situation changed within moments when a panicked parent arrived at the school and confirmed that floodwaters were rising at an alarming speed.

Without waiting for official instructions, Dawadi immediately rang the school bell and ordered teachers to evacuate the classrooms.

Principal Calls School Buses Back

As students and teachers began moving out of the building, Dawadi turned his attention to school buses travelling towards the campus.

He reportedly contacted the drivers and instructed them to turn back. Most buses carrying students managed to change direction, but one bus could not initially be reached.

Dawadi then spotted the final bus crossing a steel bridge towards the school.

With floodwaters already entering the school परिसर, he shouted and signalled desperately to the driver to turn around. The bus reportedly reversed and escaped to safety shortly before the bridge was swept away by the raging river.

Children Run Uphill as School Is Destroyed

Panic spread as students began fleeing the campus. Teachers and school staff helped children move uphill towards safer ground.

One young girl reportedly suffered a severe panic attack during the evacuation and was taken up the slope on a motorbike.

Dawadi and his colleagues continued guiding the remaining students uphill. The children eventually reached higher ground and took shelter beneath a sacred bodhi tree.

Moments later, the powerful flood swept through the area and reportedly destroyed the three-storey school complex, leaving behind a landscape covered in thick grey mud.

Two School Staff Members Lost Their Lives

While the evacuation reportedly saved hundreds of students, the disaster brought devastating losses to the school community.

Two staff members were reported dead.

Santos Pariyar, 32, a newly appointed social history teacher, had reportedly returned to his riverside accommodation after conducting an early class when he was swept away by the flood.

The school's janitor, Sultan Lama, also reportedly lost his life after returning towards the school area.

Despite being praised as a hero for his actions, Dawadi remained focused on the tragedy surrounding him.

Standing near the ruins of the school he once led, the grieving principal reportedly asked a simple question about his actions that morning: What else could I do?

His quick decision to sound the alarm, evacuate classrooms, stop incoming buses and lead students to higher ground has emerged as one of the most remarkable stories of courage and leadership from Nepal's devastating flash flood disaster.

The Kerala government will establish a “Global Job Watch Tower” to track changing employment trends worldwide and help align higher education with emerging careers and technological advancements, Chief Minister V D Satheesan said on Friday.

Speaking at the inauguration of a newly constructed academic block at GEMS Arts and Science Autonomous College in Ramapuram, Satheesan said the government would focus on transforming the higher education system to keep pace with the rapidly changing world of work.

Global Job Watch Tower to Track Employment Trends

The proposed Global Job Watch Tower will comprise experts focusing on around 12 to 15 key sectors. The system will continuously monitor global changes in employment patterns, emerging career opportunities and technological developments.

The findings will be used as inputs for restructuring university curricula periodically.

The government plans to place greater emphasis on job-oriented courses and ensure that students acquire skills relevant to emerging employment opportunities.

AI, Quantum Computing, Robotics to Get Focus

Satheesan said emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, quantum computing, robotics and genetic engineering would receive greater attention under the proposed higher education transformation.

The objective is to ensure that Kerala's higher education institutions remain responsive to technological changes while creating pathways to new employment opportunities.

The Chief Minister also said the state would take steps to bring campuses of reputed foreign legacy universities and innovative academic programmes to Kerala.

These initiatives are expected to gain momentum after the implementation of the proposed University Bill, which is expected by October.

‘Njangalum Collegeilekku’ Scheme to Reach 140 Constituencies

Satheesan also highlighted the ‘Njangalum Collegeilekku’ (We Too, To College) initiative being implemented by GEMS College.

The programme aims to help women who discontinued their education for various reasons return to higher education and complete their undergraduate or postgraduate studies.

The government plans to expand the initiative across all 140 Assembly constituencies in Kerala. It is expected to benefit at least 25,000 women seeking to resume and complete higher education.

CM Urges Students to Look Beyond Marks

Satheesan urged students not to view education merely as a means of securing marks or clearing examinations. Instead, he encouraged them to develop curiosity, pursue knowledge and cultivate a habit of continuous learning.

GEMS College was established in the cooperative sector in 2008. Satheesan said it was the first college in the country to receive both an ‘A’ grade from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) and autonomous status.

The newly inaugurated academic block spans approximately 23,000 square feet on the college campus.

The proposed Global Job Watch Tower marks Kerala's attempt to make higher education more closely responsive to global labour-market trends, emerging technologies and future career opportunities, while simultaneously expanding access to higher education for women who had discontinued their studies.

The Kerala government will establish a “Global Job Watch Tower” to track changing employment trends worldwide and help align higher education with emerging careers and technological advancements, Chief Minister V D Satheesan said on Friday.

Speaking at the inauguration of a newly constructed academic block at GEMS Arts and Science Autonomous College in Ramapuram, Satheesan said the government would focus on transforming the higher education system to keep pace with the rapidly changing world of work.

Global Job Watch Tower to Track Employment Trends

The proposed Global Job Watch Tower will comprise experts focusing on around 12 to 15 key sectors. The system will continuously monitor global changes in employment patterns, emerging career opportunities and technological developments.

The findings will be used as inputs for restructuring university curricula periodically.

The government plans to place greater emphasis on job-oriented courses and ensure that students acquire skills relevant to emerging employment opportunities.

AI, Quantum Computing, Robotics to Get Focus

Satheesan said emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, quantum computing, robotics and genetic engineering would receive greater attention under the proposed higher education transformation.

The objective is to ensure that Kerala's higher education institutions remain responsive to technological changes while creating pathways to new employment opportunities.

The Chief Minister also said the state would take steps to bring campuses of reputed foreign legacy universities and innovative academic programmes to Kerala.

These initiatives are expected to gain momentum after the implementation of the proposed University Bill, which is expected by October.

‘Njangalum Collegeilekku’ Scheme to Reach 140 Constituencies

Satheesan also highlighted the ‘Njangalum Collegeilekku’ (We Too, To College) initiative being implemented by GEMS College.

The programme aims to help women who discontinued their education for various reasons return to higher education and complete their undergraduate or postgraduate studies.

The government plans to expand the initiative across all 140 Assembly constituencies in Kerala. It is expected to benefit at least 25,000 women seeking to resume and complete higher education.

CM Urges Students to Look Beyond Marks

Satheesan urged students not to view education merely as a means of securing marks or clearing examinations. Instead, he encouraged them to develop curiosity, pursue knowledge and cultivate a habit of continuous learning.

GEMS College was established in the cooperative sector in 2008. Satheesan said it was the first college in the country to receive both an ‘A’ grade from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) and autonomous status.

The newly inaugurated academic block spans approximately 23,000 square feet on the college campus.

The proposed Global Job Watch Tower marks Kerala's attempt to make higher education more closely responsive to global labour-market trends, emerging technologies and future career opportunities, while simultaneously expanding access to higher education for women who had discontinued their studies.

The Kerala government will establish a “Global Job Watch Tower” to track changing employment trends worldwide and help align higher education with emerging careers and technological advancements, Chief Minister V D Satheesan said on Friday.

Speaking at the inauguration of a newly constructed academic block at GEMS Arts and Science Autonomous College in Ramapuram, Satheesan said the government would focus on transforming the higher education system to keep pace with the rapidly changing world of work.

Global Job Watch Tower to Track Employment Trends

The proposed Global Job Watch Tower will comprise experts focusing on around 12 to 15 key sectors. The system will continuously monitor global changes in employment patterns, emerging career opportunities and technological developments.

The findings will be used as inputs for restructuring university curricula periodically.

The government plans to place greater emphasis on job-oriented courses and ensure that students acquire skills relevant to emerging employment opportunities.

AI, Quantum Computing, Robotics to Get Focus

Satheesan said emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, quantum computing, robotics and genetic engineering would receive greater attention under the proposed higher education transformation.

The objective is to ensure that Kerala's higher education institutions remain responsive to technological changes while creating pathways to new employment opportunities.

The Chief Minister also said the state would take steps to bring campuses of reputed foreign legacy universities and innovative academic programmes to Kerala.

These initiatives are expected to gain momentum after the implementation of the proposed University Bill, which is expected by October.

‘Njangalum Collegeilekku’ Scheme to Reach 140 Constituencies

Satheesan also highlighted the ‘Njangalum Collegeilekku’ (We Too, To College) initiative being implemented by GEMS College.

The programme aims to help women who discontinued their education for various reasons return to higher education and complete their undergraduate or postgraduate studies.

The government plans to expand the initiative across all 140 Assembly constituencies in Kerala. It is expected to benefit at least 25,000 women seeking to resume and complete higher education.

CM Urges Students to Look Beyond Marks

Satheesan urged students not to view education merely as a means of securing marks or clearing examinations. Instead, he encouraged them to develop curiosity, pursue knowledge and cultivate a habit of continuous learning.

GEMS College was established in the cooperative sector in 2008. Satheesan said it was the first college in the country to receive both an ‘A’ grade from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) and autonomous status.

The newly inaugurated academic block spans approximately 23,000 square feet on the college campus.

The proposed Global Job Watch Tower marks Kerala's attempt to make higher education more closely responsive to global labour-market trends, emerging technologies and future career opportunities, while simultaneously expanding access to higher education for women who had discontinued their studies.