Higher studies abroad in environment sector

The environmental field not only allows one to acquire strong education but also gives ample opportunity for globetrotting.

The goal of traversing the world in the pursuit of higher studies is not uncommon. A few years ago, the pursuit of going abroad for higher studies was simply a dream. Today, this dream has become a reality for thousands of students, including myself. The field of environment and nature has its own glamour. The environmental field allows one to acquire a strong education while simultaneously getting the opportunity to visit exciting places around the world.

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After completing a post graduate diploma in forestry management from the Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM) in Bhopal, I worked with Dr. Anil Gupta of the Honey Bee and SRISTI fame at the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. I then enrolled in the College of Natural Resources at Virginia Tech in USA almost five years ago. Virginia Tech had a great program in Geographical Information Systems and was also providing me with a very good scholarship plan. Being in US, the hotbed of cutting edge science and technology had added charm. I have stayed in the US, working in the GIS sector.

I would like to offer some advice to those who are currently aspiring to make a career in the environmental sector. Though my specific educational background may be different from yours, I hope to provide some general guidelines about pursuing a post-graduate degree abroad. This article will be followed by others in the series over the next few months.

The first step to pursuing studies in the US is to get a general idea of the American University system and the requirements for Indian students.