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9th Grader Aiming for Foreign Engineering: Which Country Offers the Best Value?

Sushil

Sushil Sukhwani  | Answer  |Ask -

Study Abroad Expert - Answered on Jul 02, 2024

Sushil Sukhwani is the founding director of the overseas education consultant firm, Edwise International. He has 31 years of experience in counselling students who have opted to study abroad in various countries, including the UK, USA, Canada and Australia. He is part of the board of directors at the American International Recruitment Council and an honorary committee member of the Australian Alumni Association. Sukhwani is an MBA graduate from Bond University, Australia. ... more
Rashmi Question by Rashmi on Jul 01, 2024Hindi
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My son is in 9th class. I am planning for engineering from foreign University after 12th. Pls guide me the best country with financial considerations

Ans: Hello Rashmi,

First and foremost, thank you for getting in touch with us. I am happy to know that your son is currently studying in the 9th grade and further wishes to pursue engineering overseas post completing his 12th grade. To answer your question first, I would like to tell you that a number of variables, including the quality of education, living expenses, tuition costs, and possibility of scholarships, are entailed when planning for an engineering degree overseas for your son. To assisting you in deciding on the best country with monetary considerations, I would suggest that you go through the following:

Considering Germany, overseas students are charged minimal or no tuition fees by the majority of public universities. The cost of living in the country is moderate, ranging from €850-1,200 per month. The country offers outstanding education with a number of top-ranked engineering schools. Scholarships are available via DAAD and other organizations.

Coming to Australia, the tuition fees in the country are relatively high, ranging from AUD 25,000-45,000 annually. The cost of living is also high between AUD 1,500-2,500 monthly. With universities viz., the University of Sydney and the University of Melbourne, Australia offers an outstanding quality of education. Students can avail scholarships that are available via government and university programs.

Next, talking about Canada, the tuition fees in the country are higher than Germany, but relatively economical in comparison to the USA and the UK, between CAD 20,000-40,000 annually. Although it differs depending on the city, the cost of living ranges from approximately CAD 1,000-1,500 every month. Housing leading universities viz., the University of Toronto and the University of British Columbia, top-notch instruction is offered in the country. There are numerous scholarships offered to overseas students via different programs.

In Ireland, the tuition fees are moderate to high, ranging from €9,000-25,000 annually. The living expenses are high, ranging from €1,000-1,800 monthly. With universities viz., Trinity College Dublin, an excellent quality of education is offered. Overseas students can avail numerous scholarships.

Coming to Netherlands, the tuition fees are moderate, ranging from €6,000-15,000 annually for non-EU students. The living cost is similar to Germany, around €800-1,200 monthly. Housing prestigious universities viz., Delft University of Technology, the quality of education offered in the country is high. There are numerous scholarships available for overseas students.

Next, in Sweden, the cost of tuition is moderate, ranging from SEK 80,000-140,000 annually. The living expenses is high, between SEK 8,000-13,000 per month. Home to institutions viz., KTH Royal Institute of Technology, the quality of education offered is high. Scholarships are available via the Swedish Institute and other sources.

I would suggest that your son begins preparing beforehand, concentrating on academic achievement, extracurricular activities, and standardized tests viz., the SAT, ACT, TOEFL, or IELTS. He should investigate scholarships and other forms of monetary assistance in the countries he is considering. Make sure that your son fulfills the language prerequisites for the chosen country and university. Not just that, get acquainted with the application procedure and deadlines for each country.

Bear in mind that the Netherlands and Germany are frequently suggested for their economical tuition, superior education, and low cost of living. Despite its slightly higher expenditures, Canada is also a fantastic choice for those who prefer an English-speaking environment.

For more information, you can visit our website: www.edwiseinternational.com

You can also follow us on our Instagram page: edwiseint
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Sushil

Sushil Sukhwani  | Answer  |Ask -

Study Abroad Expert - Answered on Oct 28, 2023

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My son is in 3rd AI Engg. If he wants to pursue higher education , what will be the best option outside India, with loan options.
Ans: Hello Anand,

First and foremost, thank you for getting in touch with us. I am happy to hear that your son is currently in the 3rd year of his Bachelor's degree in Artificial Intelligence Engineering. To answer your question first, I would like to tell you that if your son intends pursuing higher education overseas, he could consider studying at any of the below mentioned countries:

In the UK, your son could consider applying to the University of Cambridge, University College London, University of Oxford, and Imperial College London, regarded for their programs related to AI. The University of Melbourne, University of Sydney, and Australian National University in Australia are also known for robust Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence courses. In the USA, Stanford University, Carnegie Mellon University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and UC Berkeley, are renowned for offering robust programs in Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science. Applying to the University of British Columbia, University of Toronto, and McGill University in Canada known for their outstanding Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning programs could also be considered by your son. The Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning programs at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), and National University of Singapore (NUS) in Singapore could also be factored in by your son. Additionally, your son could consider applying to universities in Netherlands viz., University of Amsterdam, Eindhoven University of Technology, and Delft University of Technology that are known for offering Artificial Intelligence programs in the English language. Top-notch German universities like University of Heidelberg, Technical University of Munich, and University of Stuttgart, also offer programs related to Artificial Intelligence that could be opted for by your son. Moreover, your son could also consider applying to universities in Sweden, Switzerland, and France.

When deciding on the finest choice for your son to pursue his higher education overseas, I would recommend that you take into account the cost, his hobbies, as well as his professional objectives. Additionally, investigate the prerequisites for admission as well as the application deadlines pertaining to each individual country and university of your choosing.

Regarding your query about loan options, I would suggest that you contact us and our team of expert counselors will be more than willing to provide you with further guidance. Thank you!

For more information, you can visit our website.

..Read more

Latest Questions
Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |11060 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Mar 11, 2026

Money
Hi Sir, This is my second question after one and half years. I am running 37 years old. My inhand salary after all deductions is 77k. I have loan emi 32k which is going to end in feb 2027. I don't have any savings and mutual fund. How do i start financial planning and investment? I have my wife,6 years old son and 4 years old daughter. No other dependents. I would like to plan investment for house building after 7 years( my own plot around 1500 sq ft). Kindly advise.
Ans: You are asking this question at the right time. At 37, you still have many earning years ahead. Taking responsibility for your wife and two young children while planning for a future house shows strong commitment towards your family.

Even though you have no savings today, your situation can improve with a structured approach.

» Understanding Your Present Financial Position

Your monthly income and commitments are:

– Monthly income: Rs 77k
– Loan EMI: Rs 32k (till Feb 2027)
– Family of four with two young children

Currently your loan EMI is consuming a large portion of income. So the first phase of planning should focus on stability and protection.

» Build Emergency Fund First

Before investing, you must create an emergency fund.

This fund protects your family if:

– Job loss happens
– Medical emergency occurs
– Unexpected expenses arise

Try to accumulate at least 6 months of expenses.

Start small.

– Save around Rs 5k to Rs 8k monthly
– Keep this in a liquid fund or safe savings instrument

Do not use this money for any other purpose.

» Protect Your Family with Insurance

Since you are the only earning member, protection is critical.

You should have:

– Pure term insurance of at least Rs 1 crore
– Family health insurance cover for wife and children

Without these protections, one unexpected event can destroy financial plans.

Insurance is the foundation of financial planning.

» Begin Investment Through SIP

Once the emergency fund starts building, begin systematic investment.

Mutual funds are suitable for long-term goals like children education and house construction.

Prefer actively managed diversified equity funds.

Benefits of actively managed funds:

– Professional fund managers select quality companies
– Portfolio changes based on market conditions
– Aim to generate returns higher than market average

Start with small SIP.

Even Rs 5k to Rs 10k per month is a good beginning.

Over time you can increase it.

» House Construction Goal After 7 Years

You already own the plot. That is a big advantage.

Construction cost after 7 years may be substantial.

So your strategy should be:

– Continue SIP in equity funds for growth
– Increase investment once EMI ends in Feb 2027

When your EMI of Rs 32k stops, that amount becomes your biggest opportunity.

If you redirect that EMI into investments:

– Wealth can grow much faster
– House construction fund can accumulate steadily

» Planning for Children Education

Your children are 6 and 4 years old.

Higher education will come after 10 to 15 years.

This long time horizon is perfect for equity mutual funds.

Start small SIPs now in diversified funds and gradually increase contributions every year.

The power of compounding will work strongly over this time.

» Keep Investments Simple

Avoid spreading money across too many instruments.

A simple structure works best:

– Emergency fund for safety
– Equity mutual funds for long-term goals
– Limited exposure to other assets

Simplicity helps you stay disciplined.

» Tax Awareness

When you redeem equity mutual funds:

– Long term capital gains above Rs 1.25 lakh taxed at 12.5%
– Short term gains taxed at 20%

Holding investments for longer periods reduces tax burden.

» Finally

Your financial journey should start step by step.

Focus on these priorities:

– Build emergency fund first
– Take term insurance and health insurance
– Start small SIP in actively managed equity funds
– After Feb 2027, redirect EMI amount into investments
– Gradually build corpus for house construction and children education

Consistency is more important than starting with big amounts.

If you remain disciplined, your financial situation can change significantly in the next 7 to 10 years.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

...Read more

Reetika

Reetika Sharma  |599 Answers  |Ask -

Financial Planner, MF and Insurance Expert - Answered on Mar 11, 2026

Asked by Anonymous - Mar 07, 2026Hindi
Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |11060 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Mar 11, 2026

Money
I am 36 years old and now I am getting in hand 60k staying at Bangalore .I have 18.5 lakhs in my bank account. Room rent 10k household expenses 12 k invested 10k in sip. Please guide me how to and where to invest this amount..layoff also going on in my it company. Please suggest for my safe future . I have a 3 year boy his health also not good .
Ans: Your situation shows responsibility and awareness. At age 36, earning Rs.60,000 per month, maintaining savings of Rs.18.5 lakhs, and already investing through SIP shows good financial discipline. Also, your concern about job stability and your child’s health shows that you are thinking about your family’s long-term security. With a few structured steps, you can strengthen your financial safety and future stability.

» Your Current Financial Position

– Monthly in-hand income: around Rs.60,000
– Rent: Rs.10,000
– Household expenses: Rs.12,000
– SIP investment: Rs.10,000
– Savings in bank: Rs.18.5 lakhs

This means you are living within your income and also saving regularly. That is a very positive starting point.

However, because there are layoffs in the IT sector and you also have family responsibilities, the focus should be on safety, stability, and long-term growth.

» Build a Strong Emergency Fund First

Job uncertainty and your child’s health condition make an emergency reserve very important.

– Keep around 9 to 12 months of expenses as emergency fund
– Your monthly expenses are roughly Rs.22,000 to Rs.25,000
– So maintaining around Rs.3 to 4 lakhs as emergency reserve is sensible

This money should stay in safe and liquid options so that you can access it immediately during job loss or medical needs.

Do not invest this emergency money in risky assets.

» Health Protection for Your Family

Since your child already has health concerns, health insurance becomes very important.

– Take a good family health insurance plan that covers you, your spouse, and your child
– Choose a policy with adequate coverage because medical costs in cities like Bangalore are high
– If your company provides health insurance, do not depend only on that because it stops when you leave the job

Medical protection protects your savings from getting wiped out.

» Use Your Rs.18.5 Lakhs Carefully

You do not need to invest the full amount immediately.

A balanced approach works better.

– Keep around Rs.3 to 4 lakhs as emergency fund
– Keep some amount in safe instruments for short-term needs
– Gradually deploy the remaining money into diversified mutual funds through a systematic transfer approach

This helps you avoid investing a large amount at the wrong market timing.

» Continue and Slowly Increase SIP Investments

You are already investing Rs.10,000 per month in SIP. That is a very good habit.

Over time, you can improve it.

– Increase SIP whenever salary increases
– Focus on diversified equity mutual funds for long-term wealth creation
– Keep your investment horizon at least 10 to 15 years

Equity mutual funds help beat inflation and build long-term wealth for goals like your child’s education.

Actively managed funds are helpful because professional fund managers analyse companies, manage risks, and adjust portfolios based on market conditions. This active management helps investors during uncertain markets.

» Create Separate Goals for Your Child

Your child is only 3 years old. This gives you a long time horizon.

You can create separate investments for:

– Child education
– Child health security
– Long-term family wealth

Starting early helps you accumulate wealth gradually without putting pressure on your monthly budget.

» Improve Career Security

Financial planning is not only about investments. Income stability is equally important.

– Upgrade your skills within the IT industry
– Maintain a secondary emergency skill or certification
– Build professional connections in your industry

This increases your chances of faster recovery even if layoffs happen.

» Avoid Risky Decisions Now

Because your income is moderate and job stability is uncertain, avoid:

– High-risk stock trading
– Investing entire savings in one asset class
– Sudden large investments without planning
– Borrowing money to invest

Your focus should be stability and disciplined growth.

» Work With a Structured Financial Plan

A proper financial plan helps align:

– emergency planning
– insurance protection
– goal-based investments
– tax planning
– retirement planning

A Certified Financial Planner can help structure these elements together so that every rupee you save works toward your long-term financial security.

» Finally

You are already on the right track. Many people at age 36 do not have Rs.18.5 lakhs in savings or a disciplined SIP habit. Your awareness about risk, family needs, and future planning is a strong foundation.

With a balanced approach of emergency protection, proper insurance, disciplined mutual fund investing, and career stability, you can build a safe and strong financial future for your family and your child.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramalingamcfp/

...Read more

Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |10941 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Mar 11, 2026

DISCLAIMER: The content of this post by the expert is the personal view of the rediffGURU. Investment in securities market are subject to market risks. Read all the related document carefully before investing. The securities quoted are for illustration only and are not recommendatory. Users are advised to pursue the information provided by the rediffGURU only as a source of information and as a point of reference and to rely on their own judgement when making a decision. RediffGURUS is an intermediary as per India's Information Technology Act.

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