Canada is one of the top choices for Filipinos to study abroad
Photo by Daniel Joseph Petty/Pexels
The desire among Filipinos to study abroad is experiencing a resurgence post-pandemic.
According to 2022 data from IDP Philippines, a company providing counseling and support services for Filipino students aspiring to study abroad, approximately 49,000 scholars are currently pursuing their education overseas, with Canada as one of the top choices.
In 2023, the notion is still the same. IDP Philippines Country Director Jose Miguel Habana recently revealed that Canada remains on top this year.
The trend can be attributed to various motivations, including aspirations to work overseas, pursuit of courses unavailable locally, and a desire for quality education and a safe learning environment.
According to Habana, the North American country has emerged as the leading destination due to its proactive approach in attracting international talent.
“You can actually work while you’re there and help fund your living expenses. It’s a great opportunity for our Filipino students,” he emphasized in a report from ABS-CBN news, underlining the advantage of gaining work experience alongside studies.
Meanwhile, during IDP’s “More Than Study: An International Study Series” event, the organization shared on Instagram that more than 25 partner institutions in Canada have waived their application fees for those who passed their forms on the day of the event.
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On Nov. 17 and 18, IDP Philippines will hold a “Study in Manitoba and Alberta” mini-fair through an online meeting in which attendees can meet different Canadian school representatives.
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Apart from Canada, other sought-after destinations include Australia, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, the United States, and Ireland.
What are the chosen fields of study in those countries?
The organization further unveiled that among Filipino students, the predominant fields of study include business, health services, and hospitality. There has also been a notable uptick in interest in engineering and IT-related courses. Concurrently, a significant portion of students are pursuing post-graduate degrees, underscoring a persistent demand for advanced education.
It was disclosed that around 53,000 Filipinos are presently engaged in their educational pursuits across the top five destinations, with an expected annual growth rate ranging from eight to 10 percent.
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However, despite the availability of scholarships, self-funded students should be prepared for school fees ranging from P1.8 million to 2.5 million per year, excluding living expenses.
Nevertheless, various strategies exist to mitigate costs, including securing partial scholarships, opting to reside with relatives abroad, and taking advantage of available work-study programs.
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