Helping Hands

by EMMA SCIANTARELLI & PRAVAT J GURUNG

FROM ISSUE # 153 (September 2008) | IN THIS ISSUE
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As the number of students fleeing the country in hope of a better education continues to skyrocket, so does the number of institutes and agencies promising to make your overseas dreams a reality. The overseas phenomenon has spread like gangrene but unfortunately, sometimes the lofty promises of some agents go bust. So how do you differentiate between a shark out for a hunt and an authentic, beneficial agency? WAVE helps students sift through the agent/institute-saturated Valley in search of some bona fide overseas assistance. 

Orbit: When it comes to institutes and agencies, this is the big fish in the Putalisadak pond. Equipped with practice laboratories including more than 100 computers and a fully-stocked study library, it's no wonder the institute is one of the most famous in the city. The institute may have 1500 students all sweating out their text prep courses, but the agency never neglects to go that extra mile for its students. Abroad-educated instructors use proven study methods to help students achieve the best possible score and unlike many institutes, the student-staff relationship doesn't conclude at the end of a six-week course. Orbit's dedication translates into high test scores. One of Orbit's students set a record when he scored 740 out of 800 on the GMAT.

Landmark: Another big name in the industry, for them being an institute doesn't just mean churning out visas and offer letters by the hundreds, it means preparing students for the future. Unlike many agencies, Landmark realises that all western universities are not created equal. Rather than just focusing on shipping students abroad, it helps students realise their full potential. Landmark recognises that other than knowing Harvard and Oxford are the best, many students in Nepal have no idea about the quality of various universities. Agents thoroughly consider a student's academic background and attempt to help him or her get into the highest ranked university possible. In addition to helping students sift through universities, the institute offers all the standard test prep courses. A few years back, Landmark claims to have even helped one student land a perfect score on the TOEFL exam. In their own words, the institute strives to be serious, trustworthy, reliable and credible. 

Pacific Asia: They have a knack for helping students bag scholarships, especially for Australia-bound students.  Last year, AusAid awarded nine Nepali students with the Australia Leadership Award and three of the scholarship recipients were Pacific Asia's clients. Two other clients received the Endeavour Award granted by the Australian government. Scholarships aside, Pacific Asia goes against the grain in another very significant way. Statistically, 75% of Nepali students going abroad are headed off to vocational or two-year study courses, but Pacific Asia's personal statistics are just the opposite. While sending only 25% of its students for vocational studies, Pacific Asia focuses on Bachelor, Master, and Doctoral studies.  Pacific Asia strives to give its students more choices than the average institute. "We encourage our clients to exercise the right to choice. They shouldn't just listen to someone who tells them where to go," Subash Gaucham of the consultancy explains.

Prime Education: For individuals who see the beauty in the smaller things in life and desire a more personal agent-student relationship, Prime Education in Kamaladi is a great alternative. Currently, the institute has 100 students enrolled in various language and test preparation courses and they give every one of those students the one-to-one guidance they need. "There isn't something extraordinarily exceptional about our institute, but whatever we do, we do it genuinely," marketing director, Maya Limbu tells us. 

Reaction Nepal
When helping students plan their future, Reaction Nepal follows the slogan, 'You Choose, We Make' and so far has helped students get their choice, sending them off to Australia, United States and Singapore for further studies. What sets Reaction Nepal apart from the pack? They learned test preparation from the experts– Authentic Educational Testing Services. Reaction Nepal is one of the few institutes that offer the online resource, TOEFL Accelerator. Students can spend as much time as they like using Accelerator in the lab. In addition to test prep and overseas counselling, Reaction Nepal also offers English, Chinese and Nepali for Foreigners courses, as well as professional development courses primarily aimed at housewives and those entering the job market for the first time.    

Universal Education
There is something to be said about longevity, and when it comes to institutes, Universal has stood the test of time.  Founded 24 years ago, Universal has helped thousands of hopeful students go abroad. In order to make sure that they are always on top of their game, they routinely implement the latest learning methods and materials such as the 25 new widescreen laptops in their resource room. Universal also efficiently assists students by having counsellors who specialise in certain countries. Rather than speaking with a counsellor who tells you vague details about the process and university options in many different countries, at Universal, different counsellors lend their expertise for different countries. That way, you can guarantee your country-specific counsellor will tell you the ins and outs and every minute detail you need to know in order to go abroad.   

Earth Vision
For students who live in and around Bouddha, Chabahil-located Earth Vision might be the perfect choice. The institute offers all of the standard test prep classes as well as English, Japanese, graphic designing and web layout classes. Classes almost always have less than 10 students per class. The smaller class size fosters an environment conducive to individual attention and interaction. The intimate setting allows students to find clarity whenever they are confused about a topic in class.  The counsellors are friendly and eager to help.   

Alfa Beta Institute
The sprawling new building of Alfa Beta in New Baneshwor started in 1992 as a modest tuition centre but expanded its horizon in 2001. Since then it has successfully sent over 300 students abroad. But rather than counting the number of students going abroad from its institute, Alfa Beta focuses on quality education and the future of its students. IBT, test centre certified, Alfa Beta is providing 30% discount in its processing fee for the USA and Australia and also in TOEFL and IELTS classes. Previously located in Putalisadak, Alfa Beta Institute is equipped with state of the art technology.

Brilliant Education and Career Services
Established in 2005, Brilliant Education and Career Services has sent more than 500 people to the USA, UK, Australia, Canada, Cyprus and New Zealand. If you are not a student or a student who wants to settle down in Canada, Brilliant Education has a brilliant offer at the moment for a limited time period for you to apply for a PR (Permanent Residency) in Canada. If you are not sure what you're getting into, you can always go for the free counselling session. Besides this, Brilliant Education also provides classes for IELTS, GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, English and Korean languages and test preparation classes.

Corona International Education
Connecting you globally since 2007, Corona International Education in Bank Marg, Bagbazaar is the most fascinating education consultancy. With different classes for various courses and a well-equipped computer lab at student disposal during office hours, Corona has a friendly environment and has connections with universities in USA, UK, Australia, Canada, Cyprus and some European countries. Since its inception, Corona has sent 203 students abroad in total, who are now well settled. "We currently provide a 51% discount to all students enrolling with us," informs S R Poudel, Managing Director of the institute. Once you enroll, you can not only make use of the facilities but also seek advice and help for Education Loans. Provided all papers are in place, Corona will hook you up with a bank and make the process easier.

Eminent Education
Eminent Education is surely eminent when it comes to sending students abroad for quality education at the lowest price possible. Located in Putalisadak, Eminent Education has sent more than 550 students to the USA, UK, Australia and Singapore. While the number of students going abroad is growing by day, Eminent promises to be the best and provide the best services. You can rely on Eminent for your I20 processing, Test Preparation, TOEFL, GRE, GMAT, SAT, IELTS and visa preparation classes.

Intel Institute
Probably one of the oldest institutes in Kathmandu, Intel is located bang opposite Padma Kanya Campus in Bagbazaar. Its main offering is bridge courses for SLC passed students. Intel believes students should shape their own future and hence provides the opportunity to do so by bridging the gap between school and college. It's very important to choose the right subject to study after your SLC and that's where Intel comes to action. Besides bridge courses, it also provides nursing courses, TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, GRE, GMAT, exam preparation classes and MBBS courses. Intel Institute mostly focuses on sending students to USA, UK and Australia.

Mission USA
50 meters up the Dilli Bazar height from Putalisadak and you're in USA... opps! That's Mission USA. Recently established, Mission USA makes sure that you reach USA safe and sound along with helping you get your visa. In less than a year of establishment, Mission USA has already sent 36 students to the land of opportunity. "Scholarship is awarded almost to all the students going to the USA," says Nirmal Gautam, Head Counsellor.
 
Nepal Education Consultancy
Wherever your desire to go for higher education, Nepal Education Consultancy in Kamaladi will help you get there. However, this consultancy specially focuses on pilot training and has already sent about 50 students since 2004. Currently, around 15 students are back after completing there pilot training and are now working as professional pilots with commercial airlines here in Nepal. According to Tharendra Raj Adhikari, "We keep in touch with the students we've sent and help them out if they are having any problems and also have helped their parents send money to them safely." He also informed us that about four to five thousand rupees will be considered if you enroll for the TOEFL or IELTS class right away.

Overseas Educational Centre
Situated right opposite St. Xavier's school in Jawalakhel, Overseas Educational Centre cherishes honesty in their dealings. Apart from IELTS, SAT, GRE and GMAT classes, they also provide language classes for French, English, Japanese, Spanish and German. With experienced instructors, library facilities, well-equipped computer lab with internet facilities, free test materials and supervised test preparation, Overseas helps students with all the procedures and is proud of its high quality service.

The Next Education Consultancy
If you're thinking of hitting the land down under– Australia, The Next Education Consultancy is the place you should head to. All you need to be is a +2 graduate and have 5+ in your IELTS test. The whole process takes up to two and a half months but that shouldn't be a big deal as the process is easy. Located opposite Ganeshthan in Putalisadak, the counselling sessions are absolutely free of cost.