Deciding to study abroad is a major life step — full of promise, adventure, and possibility. For students from Nepal in particular, this decision brings unique opportunities and challenges. As someone from Nepal or with ties to the country, you’ll want to carefully consider your destination, goals, finances, and future.
Deciding to study abroad is a major life step — full of promise, adventure, and possibility. For students from Nepal in particular, this decision brings unique opportunities and challenges. As someone from Nepal or with ties to the country, you’ll want to carefully consider your destination, goals, finances, and future. Below is a detailed guide: 10 key factors to consider when choosing your study-abroad destination, specifically tailored for Nepali students.
The most compelling reason Nepali students go to study is the reputation of higher-quality education and more international recognition of the degree. For example, studies show Nepali students are motivated by "greater career prospects" with foreign degrees.
Nepal's tertiary education has its issues: fewer resources to go around, fewer universities ranked internationally, antiquated and outdated curriculum, and infrastructure deficiencies. Therefore, studying abroad can offer access to facilities and courses not found at home.
Tip: Shortlist some universities/universities in the destination country, check their ranking or accreditation, and look at alumni success (grad employability, the kind of job graduates get). Don't just go for name-value — dig down to the real course.
Choosing a destination is not just about the duration of study, but what happens next. For many Nepali students, the aim is not just to study, but also to improve longer-term career opportunities.
A few students emigrate out of Nepal for better work opportunities abroad, lamenting the lack of secure jobs, weak local job markets. If you're moving abroad and staying on, forward-thinking opportunities are relevant. If you plan to return to Nepal, then the acceptance and relevance of your degree in the Nepali job market are relevant.
Tip: Learn about the foreign country's work permit policy for overseas graduates. Interview current students or Nepalese alumni of that nation to understand how simple/difficult their job change was.
Going overseas can be expensive — tuition, living costs, air travel, insurance, and visa fees add up. For Nepal's families and students, expense will often be a deciding factor. A report states Nepali students are highly budget-conscious when looking for accommodation abroad.
With tight budgets for many students and families in Nepal, selecting a destination and program that fits within your budget is crucial. If you go too far financially, then stress during study may be elevated.
Tip: Create a total budget: fee + at least 12 months' living costs + contingency. Think about whether you can work part-time legally in the country of destination, and currency risk (Nepali rupee to the country's currency). Also inquire if exchange restrictions or bank remittance issues from Nepal.
Arriving in a new nation entails learning a new lifestyle, potentially a new language, and the general way of living. For Nepali students, it can be wonderful but stressful.
Social and cultural ease enables you to perform well academically and personally. If you do not factor this in, even a good program will be too overwhelming.
Tip: Search for online forums of Nepali students or social media groups of Nepali students in the respective university/country. Talk to them and ask those fundamental questions about everyday life: living costs, how far the campus is from the city/town, and how locals treat international students.
Student visa policies, stay-back provisions, degree recognition, and migration policies vary greatly between places.
Denial of visas, immigration problems, or indefinite status can ruin your overseas study experience. As per some work/research, Nepalese students are apprehensive regarding employment opportunities at home and abroad.
Tip: Look at the host country's official immigration website. Inquire from the university's international student office. Inquire from alumni. Also, see if there are any reciprocal agreements between Nepal and the country (sometimes there are special quotas or exemptions).
Study abroad is not only academically oriented — your safety, health, and quality of life matter as well.
Not being home for so long means that you must have somewhere you can depend upon. Also, Nepali students may face cultural adjustment; some places will have fewer support networks.
Tip: Research international student satisfaction surveys, see what Nepali students' forums say about that place, and consider your comfort (e.g., moderate weather over very cold).
Selecting the right area of study matters. The place should offer the course you adore and the one that will be useful in the future.
No matter how good the destination is, unless the program is for your field of interest or the industry, you would be either unsatisfied or fail to get good jobs. Many Nepali students study abroad not only for a degree but also for career opportunities.
Tip: Make a "must-have" list for your ideal program: subject area, specializations, types of projects/internships offered, and faculty research interests. Then look at how each university ranks on these.
A strong alumni network and global mobility of graduates add to the worth of your degree.
Your degree is not just how long you've studied—it's also the platform it leaves you with for the subsequent 5-10 years. Having a good network can change everything.
Tip: Search LinkedIn alumni from your ideal university who graduated with your program. Check where they are today. Contact them if possible to gather ideas.
The everyday practicalities of living abroad can play a big role in your experience.
As noted earlier, Nepali students are especially budget-conscious when it comes to accommodation; one study found that facilities and kitchen size were of great importance to Nepali international students. Small daily things like accommodation and food can influence your health and studies.
Tip: Once you've narrowed it down to a few locations, allocate 2-3 months' living costs (rent, utilities, food, transport) and go to the student forums of the university and pose "what's the average rent on a 1-bedroom/university dorm?".
Finally, you must wonder: "After all this, is this place an investment worth it to me?" Since studying abroad is such a financial and life investment.
For the majority of Nepali families, overseas study is a heavy expense. With an unknown result, it is riskier. Student out-migration (from Nepal) has been said in certain studies to have "brain drain" effects and may be expensive for the country and people, if not planned appropriately.
Tip: Develop a "worst-case scenario" plan: What if you don't get a job immediately after graduation? What if you have to return to Nepal? Would you be okay? Then contrast with a "best‐case scenario" and ask yourself if the risk-benefit ratio is good enough for you.
Choosing the right study abroad option is a scary experience if there are so many things to consider. Prasana International Education is very experienced in advising Nepali students right from the start to finish—from choosing the right country and university to preparing a visa application.
Their customized suggestions lead coordination of your academic aim, price bracket, and interests to the finest locations. From the best-quality universities in the USA, affordable ones in Europe, or new centers of learning fast developing in Asia, Prasana's suggestion clears all the trouble.
Living abroad can be transformative — intellectually, personally, and culturally. It is especially appealing to Nepali students: better programs, global exposure, better jobs, maybe. But, as the research suggests, at a cost: cost, accommodation, risk.
A few more words of warning from Prasana International, just for you:
Choosing your study-abroad destination is a multifaceted decision — not just about the “best university” in rankings, but about fit, affordability, your goals, and how you’ll live and succeed. For students from Nepal, this decision carries additional context: the role of international credential value, the cost burden, the migration/return tradeoffs, and the support structures you’ll need.
By evaluating these 10 factors with honest reflection and solid research — educational quality, career prospects, cost, culture, visa, safety, course fit, alumni network, logistics, and ROI — you’ll be well-positioned to pick a destination that doesn’t just sound good, but is right for you.
Nepali students choose the United States of America, Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Germany because these countries have established institutions, plenty of programs to select from, chances to receive scholarships, and student-friendly policies.
They can cut down their expenses by searching for scholarships, choosing countries or institutions with lower fees, budgeting, considering work opportunity options open under their visa, and exploring funding sources from the government or private agencies.
All the English-speaking countries require mastery of the English language, as evidenced by IELTS or TOEFL. In non-English speaking countries, fluency in the local language might be required, and there are language support courses offered by universities to benefit international students.