Can the dream of studying outside India be possible to achieve despite having weak financial background?
If I had to answer in one word for the above question it would be yes. At this point, this answer might sound a bit cynical but read the rest of the article and it might change your mind.
One of the most important factors is the money required at every step in this journey. However, having enough information about different Universities, Countries, and courses is equally important. The first and foremost job is to gather information about as much as possible. Financial requirements mostly differ from country to country, course to course, and University to University. If there are financial constraints, then it is advised to narrow down to a few confirmed Universities and courses. Then the next step would be to look for scholarships. Scholarships may be from Government, Universities, NGOs, or any private organizations. There are many scholarships available from different sources and require a good amount of research and it can be a time-consuming job.
Another option is to apply for study loans which is a common option that many students opt for. In my personal experience, I have seen many students having financial constraints perused their education outside India with the help of study loans. In this case, it becomes very important to complete the course.
Managing finance while studying.
Any scholarship or loan will take care of the tuition fees. However, the cost of living still needs to be paid from our own pocket, and very few scholarships are there which provide a stipend as well for daily expenses. One of the most common ways to manage this situation is to look for student jobs. In Europe and the US, student job is a very common practice for both international and local students. Once the country and the University are confirmed one can gather information about the local life, student jobs available, and the language requirement (especially for Europe). I agree that not all information is available on the internet but at least an idea will help in the future to take the decision and to prepare yourself in case there is any language requirement or any other requirement. Before taking any student job it is advised to understand the course curriculum and the amount of time one needs to devote during the entire semester. Sometimes courses can be very time-consuming and intense with lots of assignments and tasks which depend entirely on the design of the course, and it can vary from course to course. Student jobs during vacations can also be an option in case taking up any job during the semester is not possible. This kind of decision can only be taken by the individual based on his/her situation.
Among all this, it is very important to remember that the ultimate goal is to study, and completion of the course should always be the priority.