Asia emerges as top study abroad choice

(NLDO) - The trend of Vietnamese students studying abroad is shifting strongly to Asia with many scholarship options, reasonable costs and attractive job opportunities.

According to Dr. Mark A. Ashwill, CEO of Capstone Vietnam, there are currently about 350,000 Vietnamese students studying abroad. Among them, Asian countries such as Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, China, Philippines... are gradually becoming prominent destinations, replacing traditional choices in Europe and the US.

Many Asian universities meet international standards and are listed in prestigious rankings such as QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education. Photo: NVCC

The attraction of studying abroad in Asia

Dr. Mark said that about 94% of Vietnamese students study in the top 10 countries and territories, in order: South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Australia, the US, China, Canada, Singapore/Russia (tied), Germany and France. Notably, 33% of them are studying in South Korea, a sharp increase compared to previous years.

The clear shift to Asia is driven by improved academic quality, growing scholarship opportunities, growing trade relations between Vietnam and host countries, and strong cultural influence from films, music , and languages.

Apart from English, the most popular languages ​​today are Chinese, Japanese and Korean, followed by a number of European languages. In terms of fields of study, Vietnamese students still prioritize the fields of business, STEM, hotel and tourism management, information technology, psychology and nursing.

“ Educational institutions are in great need of international students, so this is a good time for Vietnamese students to study abroad.”

Dr. Mark A. Ashwill - Managing Director of Capstone Vietnam

For many students, studying abroad is not only an opportunity to learn but also a stepping stone to work or settle in immigrant-friendly countries, especially those with a shortage of skilled workers.

Although settlement opportunities in Asian countries are generally more limited than in the West, some countries such as South Korea and Singapore have begun to expand their work visa policies, creating conditions for highly skilled students to stay and work.

Dr. Mark A. Ashwill (center) emphasized that young people still need to proactively monitor career trends and avoid fields that are likely to be replaced by AI in the future to have more sustainable choices. Photo: NVCC

Vietnamese students are increasingly proactive.

Study abroad seminars still play an important role in helping students meet directly with representatives of foreign schools. However, the current trend is that more students apply themselves instead of through consulting companies, especially those with good records and a good understanding of the study abroad process. Applying yourself is encouraged if candidates are well prepared in terms of foreign language, information and confidence.

Studying abroad brings development opportunities but also many challenges, requiring students to prepare carefully to make the right choice. Photo: NVCC

In the next 3 to 5 years, the trend of studying abroad in Asia is expected to continue to increase with emerging destinations such as Thailand - where there are quality programs, reasonable costs and many international scholarships taught in English.

Le Hoang Thien An (21 years old), who plans to study for a master's degree in Thailand, said that this choice comes from the reasonable cost, geographical location near Vietnam and the dynamic learning environment. Creative media programs in Thailand are diverse, closely linked to the developed entertainment industry, helping students to both study and gain practical experience through business activities, F&B and local culture.

Dr. Mark advises that students should not choose a major just because of the “hot” trend, but should find the intersection between ability, passion, income generation ability and value contribution to society. This is considered the direction to help build a sustainable career and long-term happiness.

According to statistics from Bartra Wealth Advisors Vietnam, the cost of studying abroad in Asia varies depending on the country and field of study, averaging from 8,000-25,000 USD/year (about 200-630 million VND).

Countries like the Philippines, Thailand, and Malaysia have lower costs (8,000-15,000 USD/year, equivalent to 200-380 million VND), while Singapore, South Korea, and Japan have higher costs (15,000-25,000 USD/year, about 380-630 million VND).

Many countries allow students to work part-time, such as South Korea (up to 28 hours/week during the semester) or Singapore and Malaysia with similar regulations.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/chau-a-tro-thanh-diem-den-du-hoc-so-mot-toan-cau-196251015092059571.htm