Study Abroad Advising – The How and Why of it
Studying abroad is an important decision in the life of students and their families. As students start thinking about options for studying in an overseas university or college, they have numerous questions and queries. They also would want to know about course and country options, choice of institutions, funding, admissions criteria etc. They look for authentic and timely information to help their successful admits. Study abroad advising is about bringing forth the natural talents and aptitudes of students through discussions and psychometric tests. This is where the role of study abroad advisors comes handy, wherein they help match the students’ strengths with possible career paths. Thereafter to suggest the ideal study destination, right fit institution, course specialisation and curriculum details. One of the best residential boarding schools in India, MIT Gurukul is a premier institution with a study abroad cell on their campus to facilitate such advising processes in-person. Advising for study abroad helps the students decide the if, when, where and why of study abroad, as well as the length of the program one must undertake to realise one’s career aspirations. By helping students’ navigate the admissions process and related aspects such as student loans, scholarships and visas, a study abroad advisor facilitates ease of understanding the steps in the admissions process. This leads to the students successfully obtaining confirmed admissions from institutions of choice. The advisor also ensures that the long term goals of the student are matched with the offerings of a particular program at a certain institution. [INSERT_ELEMENTOR id=”5216″] IB Syllabus schools are traditionally meant for students who plan to start their bachelor’s studies overseas. It is more important for such students to gain the right guidance since their career foundation is defined by the choices they make while selecting subjects in high school. The function of the study abroad advisor for such students is to also help them decide the combination of subjects that will transition them seamlessly into their bachelor’s studies. Overall the steps included in a study abroad advising process are: Finding the student’s strengths and aptitude Discussing possible and suitable career paths Understanding the parents’ budget Selecting country, university and course Looking for specialisations while selecting courses Guiding students to take English language proficiency tests Undertaking the admissions process by submitting applications Applying for scholarships and available funding Applying for student loans if needed Applying for student visas Guiding for student travel cards, foreign exchange etc. MIT Gurukul understands the importance of the correct guidance and advising for its students, to build their future paths with planned transition into higher studies. Being one among the top residential schools in Mumbai, Pune and the rest of Maharashtra,MIT has a dedicated cell with a professionally qualified study abroad advisor on its team. The advisor has more than a decade of experience in international higher education and provides a 360 degrees view of the university and course choices for the students’ benefit. This establishes a discussion process between the students, their parents and the advisor and leads to the best admission outcome for the students. We encourage the parents of students in grades 10, 11 and 12 to seek an appointment with our study abroad division and write to Ms. Parul Khurana at parul.k@mitgurukul.ccom for a personalised advising session.
Experiential Learning – Real Life Application of Education
This statement by the great statesman rings true in all times, and in modern terms refers to the ‘experiential learning’ methodology. Experiential learning collectively means the specific ways of learning by getting involved in activities beyond just imbibing theoretical concepts. It involves things like the play way method of teaching and arts and crafts for younger children; field trips, experimentation, research, lab work, group presentations, competitions, and innovation and commercialization of those innovations for older students. Experiential learning includes primary research, assignments and activities based on real-life situations. The primary research engages the students with reflective problem solving and opens multiple potential avenues of inquiry. This helps enhance their critical thought patterns, logical deductions, and the ability to seek varied perspectives to approach a situation. Some of the best residential schools in Mumbai, Pune, and other parts of India thus increasingly employ on-campus experiential learning activities as an integral part of the pedagogy. At the primary level, experiential learning could involve things like clay modelling, art and craft activities, and visiting a zoo or an aquarium to learn about animals and sea life. A visit to a pottery workshop, or just walking in the park to see various trees and plants. Experiential learning for middle years includes, among others, things like making a gyroscope, growing mould on wet bread to learn about fungus, germinating seeds to see how plants grow, working with prisms to understand different colours of the rainbow or visit to planetariums, science parks, etc. In the high school, experiential learning takes on a more advanced form through lab work, research papers, visits to geological sites, rocket launching facilities, national research laboratories, and internationally to places like NASA research facility, participation in subject-based, sports, art or other competitions, innovating products and applications etc. Good schools in Pune, the education capital of India, are well known to employ such learning techniques in their curriculum. [INSERT_ELEMENTOR id=”5216″] MIT Gurukul, one of the most renowned and among the best schools in Pune, is at the forefront of such educational ethos. We have found through experience that students who are exposed to experiential learning are able to tackle their subjects better, are more creative, become better at teamwork, leadership potential and communication skills, develop research acumen, and thus are more confident in their scholastic and other tasks. They also have holistic personality development through co-curricular indulgences. The teachers also play a definitive role in such experiential learning through encouraging facilitated and guided practice, reflection, and evaluation amongst students. In a nutshell, experiential learning through open-ended discussions and questioning guidance, experimentation and immersion in tasks, allows students to develop ideas, test them, and enjoy successes. It also facilitates learning and growing from failures, engaging in continuous intellectual development, and finding ways to overcome challenges. These life skills are very important in goal setting and goal achieving at every stage in life. MIT Gurukul invites and encourages all current and prospective parents to attend our open house sessions and see first-hand our experiential learning facilities, meet the teachers and get their questions and queries answered to satisfaction. To see our schedule for upcoming events and open houses, please visit https://www.mitgurukul.com/ “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” -Benjamin Franklin
The Subject Choices in High School – Preparing for Your Future Education
The subjects that the students choose in their high school, have an influence on their life and career ahead. To know the exact trajectory of one’s career path one needs to make the correct first decision in taking subjects that will build into both future education as well as a future vocation. For example, to undertake a career in Marine Biology, it is important that a student studies both Biology and Math at the school level since Marine Biology includes elements of statistical data collection of marine species. In absence of the correct guidance, many talented students’ career ambitions would find regret in the hindsight. At MIT Gurukul, one of the international residential schools in Pune, we are mindful of the fact that students, and many times their families, need guidance from higher education experts and college counsellors for making the right selection of the subject mix. Thus we have a dedicated cell that interacts and discusses with the 10th-grade students on their: Subjects of interest Possible career choices Innate strengths and proclivity towards science, arts, commerce or humanities The aspiration to undertake further education in India or overseas Possible roles and designations they hope to obtain in their professional career This helps initiate the first formal undertaking of careful planning for subject choice in the 11th grade, which is the stepping stone to selecting a focussed subject stream. This involves segregating the subjects into science or arts, commerce or languages, and then picking one (sometimes two) that the student feels most confident in tackling. At MIT Gurukul, one of the best international schools in Pune, this is the time that the higher education experts step in along with study abroad advisors and provide insights towards bachelor’s courses and what their prerequisites are. The final step in this process includes making the firm choice for the combination of subjects that the student will study in grades 11th and 12th. [INSERT_ELEMENTOR id=”5216″] We also adopt the approach that each child is unique, with their individual career dreams and ambitions, and process the same information in a way that is individualistic and innate. Thus we map the students’ personality, strengths, aptitude and future dreams. We employ the scientifically tested methods and psychometric tools for this purpose. We also spend time with the students and their families to mitigate the factors that may influence an incorrect subject choice, such as societal pressure, unrealistic expectations from the student, peer pressure etc. The ultimate aim is to take the student from confusion, to clarity and certainty about the subjects and what career paths they can lead to. Finally, it is our endeavour to inform the students that stream selection is not a daunting task. Once the short term career vision at least is put into perspective, we trace backwards to the present day and which subjects will lead to the future career that the student is keen on. Being one of the Best boarding schools in India, we also pride ourselves in knowing our students closely and being their mentor and friends in helping them in high-school subject selection. We also hold regular seminars by subject experts and professionals to discuss their own professional trajectory and which subjects they pursued in school. We also hold individual career sessions by appointment for students and would be happy to receive your request at admissions@www.www.mitgurukul.com for a personalized session with you and your child.
Decoding the IB Curriculum: Why is it Good for Your Child
The IB or the International Baccalaureate diploma refers to a two-year academic program that is offered to students in the age group of 16 to 19 years. Internationally accepted and recognized, this curriculum has gained immense popularity in India in the last two decades. The IB Diploma is a significant credential for college applications, especially overseas. Being aware of the advantages of this pedagogy, MIT Gurukul, one of the best IB schools in Pune, has consciously adopted the curriculum. The IB Diploma requires the students to study and pass exams in six subject areas. Three or four of these subjects can be taken by the student at the challenging “Higher” level, while the remaining subjects can be taken at the “Standard” level. Additionally, the students write an essay based on independent research by taking the “Theory of Knowledge” course. This course covers critical thinking and epistemology. The third mandatory requirement of IB Diploma is for the student to participate in various extracurricular activities for holistic development. [INSERT_ELEMENTOR id=”5216″] Getting the IB Diploma signifies that the student has superior critical thinking due to a heavily experiential pedagogy. They are also equipped to analyse and understand information, look at varying perspectives and develop problem-solving abilities. Some noteworthy advantages of learning the IB curriculum are: 1. High Acceptance Rate : Students holding an IB Diploma have a high university and college acceptance rate worldwide. The experiential curriculum gives them qualities also to be very successful in their college education. 2. Increased Scholarship Opportunities : It has been observed that students who have passed the IB curriculum from top schools in Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, Gurugram etc. obtain greater scholarships and fellowships. 3. Interdisciplinary Teaching : The method of instruction used in IB Diploma is interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary with hands-on learning, rendering the students with broader academic horizons. 4. Development of intellectual faculties : Students taking IB Diploma are trained to approach research and inquiry, find answers through independent exploration of multiple learning strategies, adopt new ideas, be expressive, and gain knowledge on issues that have local and global significance. 5. Honing Liberal Minded and Global Outlook : Students of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program understand and appreciate different cultures and life views. They are open to accepting varied perceptions, values and traditions, and become educationally richer with such realisations. 6. Ingenuity : Within the IB pedagogy the students develop their imaginative and scholarly quotient to deal with a variety of educational paradigms right from the early years and up to the high school years. At MIT Gurukul, one of the best primary and high school in Pune, we encourage hands-on work and experimentation. 7. Teacher Development : It is a mandate of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Organisation for teachers to undertake regular professional development training. Thus the students learn from the most informed and talented educators. Conclusively, pursuing IB Diploma opens up a plethora of opportunities for students, and with the above-mentioned advantages it offers, it is surely a pedagogy that is aimed for student success. We encourage all prospective parents to book a session with our admissions team to learn more about our program and its salient points.
Holistic Education – Developing Leaders Beyond Just Classrooms
MIT Gurukul was founded on the principle that along with learning in sciences, arts and sports, students must develop reverence for and connection with the natural habitats, their communities and the humanitarian values of compassion, care and empathy. In keeping with this vision, MIT Gurukul, being one of the best international schools in Pune, has developed a holistic approach to education. The aspiration of our educational ethos is to send out young ambassadors from our school into the world who become change-makers and become the personification of our values. To achieve this end, our education is crafted around various activities and experiences that extend beyond just classroom education. Our schedules include discussions on human values and the importance of empathy, the innovative zeal and approach to studies, creativity in putting one’s learning to the benefit of society, and leadership qualities of fairness and inclusivity. The timetable also has provision for visits to old age homes, orphanages, schools for differently-abled students, and the like. These visits are not just mere excursions but more of practical learning. We discuss ways in which the students can contribute and also give them follow-up exercises as a practice. Thus our school has done generous donations of books, stationery, clothes, medicine, and various other aides. This practical learning has encouraged our senior students to volunteer and teach the underprivileged free of cost. These millennial kids are leveraging the power of social media to create awareness about such social issues. love for nature is also a part of our life’s vision. Being an international residential school in Pune, MIT Gurukul fructifies a feeling of family among its students and the qualities of care and concern for each other. Included in our definition of family are also the green cover at our campus and the serene Mula Mutha river that flows on the side of our school. Thus our students participate in cleanliness drives, and cultural events to mark respect for nature. Students help maintain the green cover by being mindful of not damaging the trees or the other saplings. Tree plantation has been a yearly activity and every sapling thus planted is then nurtured and grown. We are sure that the students will carry this outlook further in their lives and spread the message for the preservation of nature as young scholars. [INSERT_ELEMENTOR id=”5216″] The international baccalaureate syllabus is also leaned toward the idea of learning by doing, making inquiry and conducting research and then arriving at thoughtful and evaluated conclusions. Thus the emphasis is on deep-diving into history, synthesising science through experimentation, arts through performance, and sports through collaboration as much as competition is the way of life at MIT Gurukul. The underlying motivation in our teaching and learning method is that students utilize their knowhow for making the societies around them better. Hence we showcase theatre on social issues like education or gender equality, conduct team-based sports to espouse cooperation among students, encourage travel to broaden their horizons and support debates and discussions to develop their critical thinking abilities. For we believe that no education is complete unless it develops a compassionate human being, rather than just a professional! It is our constant endeavour to impart the best and holistic knowledge to every student who enrols with us and to refine their inherent human qualities. We would be happy to have some parents mentor our students through invited sessions on topics of success with social values, idea of participatory work, volunteering and community outreach, and using art for expressing human values. For expressions of interest please write to admissions@www.www.mitgurukul.com
Teenage and Educational Focus: Developing the Scientific and Social Base
High school is the time when students focus on building their skills and knowledge for a future career. Subject choices matter, the co-curricular and extracurricular activities take on a far greater importance in profile building. These are the years to research, listen, express, collaborate, lead, be creative, innovative and innately ambitious. These are also the years for the most diligent academic focus, putting in long hours of hard work for overall skill development. Keeping in mind all of the above, MIT Gurukul – one of the top 5 schools in Pune, has devised a comprehensive curriculum for our high school students. We offer them the best in class education, out of class experiences, and personalized mentoring for schools their career. Through the years of high school, our emphasis is on building the qualities in the children that will hold them in good stead in their later years. Thus we help develop collaboration through group projects, healthy competition through activities, oratory abilities through Model United Nations and debating clubs, agility and strength through sports, artistic and skills through art and music. Additionally, we help develop an aptitude for scientific or social science inquiry through case studies. We help build the empathetic quotient of the students through community based volunteering. Broadening of their horizons takes place by their participation in the national and international competitions, and leadership by taking on posts of responsibility within the Student Council. Undoubtedly, all these are built over a strong foundation of our IB curriculum teaching and career advising. This strong foundation helps our students to choose the right subject mix and prepare well to grasp the concepts thoroughly. [INSERT_ELEMENTOR id=”5216″] Our career experts do a superb job of assessing students’ strengths and then working out the best future path for them. In collaboration with the parents, each of whom look for quality schools in Pune, we holistically profile the child and monitor their progress for success in their 12th grade examination. Simultaneously we also hold workshops and seminars by international and Indian institutions, subject experts and industry professionals. Thus providing the needed exposure to the students about possible higher education courses and career paths. Among one of the top residential schools in Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, and Pune, MIT Gurukul is committed to also impart practical wisdom about life and living. Thus we hold discussions about the importance of good daily schedules and exercising, indulging in philanthropy and charity, and building spirituality through yoga and meditation. Through all of the above, we dedicate our efforts to keep the focus of our high school students on useful and productive pursuits, so they can become the leaders of tomorrow and be at the forefront of global change. For an in-depth understanding of what we do and to be satisfied that your child will be nurtured in our enriched educational environment, we invite you to visit our school and take a campus tour, or see our website at https://www.www.mitgurukul.com.
The middle years – foundation for career making
As children enter the age group of eight to fourteen years, their mental, psychological and social requirements undergo a vast change. According to research conducted by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (https://www.dese.gov.au/quality-schools-package/resources/student-wellbeing-engagement-and-learning-across-middle-years), these are the years of rapid neurological and social development, and crucial for the educational growth of students. These are also the years when the children are transitioning from dependence to a sense of independence and from multiple interests to a few focused endeavours. It is within this context that the role of the middle school curriculum and teaching becomes important. Among the international schools in Pune, MIT Gurukul is a classic example of having incorporated the particular needs of the middle year students into its pedagogical methods. Among the top-rated good schools in Pune, MIT Gurukul’s teaching methods focus on reasoning, critical thinking, group-based solutions and cogent explanations for the real-life application of theoretical concepts. Classroom learning is complemented by robust lab work, inquiry-based research work, team presentations, projects and field visits. With positive affirmations and confidence building, we also help develop the self-learning, self-dependency as well as cooperative and collaborative personality traits in the students. Our teachers follow the philosophy of ‘there are multiple paths to knowledge seeking’ and focus on developing the innate qualities of each student. [INSERT_ELEMENTOR id=”5216″] We understand that in the middle years there is a need to shift the emphasis from just grades to skill-building, competition to collaboration, academic intelligence to emotional and social adeptness, and from marks based outcomes to lifelong learning. Middle years education can thus be the platform over which each of these competencies is based, and careful planning and execution of middle year school education are the ‘here and now’ need. These skills hold good for the students as they tackle the rigours of the high school curriculum, and later in life as they enter the higher education years and ultimately the professional arena. Middle school years are also the formative years for students to evolve as responsible, compassionate and empathetic individuals. For this, we find that nature walks, volunteering and community outreach, innovation and creativity in education, and environmental understanding work well to bring out the good qualities in students. As the young scholars of today are the leaders of tomorrow, we hold them in our care through such activities during these middle years for a smooth transition to a responsible high school year! While academic excellence is at the core of our middle year teaching process, we do recognize that some students can become world leaders in the areas of arts, sports, writing, social work and environmental concern. Thus we employ qualified trainers in all these areas to mentor the students. Our student clubs also see increased participation of the middle school students in positions of responsibility, where they learn to express their views, contribute ideas, hone negotiation and communication skills, and refine their oratory abilities. Your child could be our next student success story. As you search for IB schools near you, choose MIT Gurukul. If you are interested to know more about our curriculum, contact us admissions@www.www.mitgurukul.com.
Catch Them Young: The Importance of Early Childhood Education
In the 21st century dynamically evolving world, we find career options hitherto unheard of, and there is buzz about at least 30% of the current traditional job roles to change by 2035. Within this scenario, there is a rising awareness about the fact that robust educational planning from early years of a child is the best way to ensure their future career paths. This points to the foundation that early childhood education can lay for students that inches them closer to realizing their full potential. MIT Gurukul, a premier residential school in Pune and one of India’s leading IB curriculum institution, is mindful of the necessity for crafting a comprehensive early education curriculum. We have thus put together activities both in the classroom and outside to deliver a holistic pedagogy to our young learners. Through our teaching and learning method, we help prepare your child for the changing academic and professional scenario. We catch them young and mould their intellects for adaptability and long term success. Within India, the pedagogical styles have been based on assimilating facts rather than knowing what to do with them, when, and how, for best learning outcomes. Come 2020 and The New Education Policy proposed by the Government is set to disrupt this altogether. With its emphasis on no bag days at school, learning at the grassroots with the potters and the gardeners, and enquiry based research projects, there is a back to the nature, nurture and neo-learning trend. As parents, this might be the right time to sync one’s focus towards starting early and giving a boost to your child’s long term career through careful planning and collaboration with different stakeholders. [INSERT_ELEMENTOR id=”5216″] MIT Gurukul, a niche preschool in Pune, is your best bet for your child’s early education. In the formative years, we focus on developing the mindset rather than the skills set, honing ways to see things differently, and through hands on experiences. A walk in the park, visit to a museum, a course in recycling waste into artefacts; the list could be long. Fun based learning of numbers, shapes and dimensions, sports and arts, music and pottery, swimming and horse riding helps lay a strong foundation. The purpose is one – to start developing every innate ability of the students so that they can tap into their natural talents. We also aim to foster their sense of teamwork, empathy, environmental sensitivity, communication, and emotional intelligence. With specific online and offline activities like learning to play musical instruments, language practice, solving puzzles, or just the fun activity of writing with the non dominant hand, you would witness the child’s learning curve moving towards an upward trajectory. The importance of early education is thus entailed in the core philosophy of learning; that young minds are like clay, one can give them any shape and fill them with knowledge vast and varied. MIT Gurukul, one of the best residential school in Pune, is dedicated to fulfil this requirement for every student, right from day one. Come and start your wonderful educational journey with us, click here.
The Career Counselling and Higher Education Advising at MIT Gurukul
School education is not just about helping students prepare for their year-end exams. It is not only about honing their academic proficiency, but also about laying a foundation for their further education. Keeping this in mind, MIT Gurukul, one of the best international schools in Pune, India, has instituted a dedicated cell for career counselling and higher education advising. The aim of this division is to help students realize their innate potential and natural affinity towards certain career paths, and choose high school subjects that strengthen such choices. The role of career counselling is to utilize scientific tools such as psychometric tests and detailed interactions with certified career counsellors to find the areas of strength within a student. Post such testing viable subject choices and future career paths are discussed with the student and the parents. The underlying motivation within this endeavour by MIT Gurukul, a top residential boarding school in Pune, is to steer the students towards careers that they are likely to excel, based on their inner abilities. Through the process of counselling and subject selection, we make an effort to help the students in imbibing knowledge that syncs with their future vocational aspirations. [INSERT_ELEMENTOR id=”5216″] Our career counselling process spans over many sessions, wherein our counsellors patiently answer all student and parent queries. They work in a collaborative mode to suitably chalk out the subject mix that the student should adopt in order to fulfil the requirements of the curriculum. This also becomes the conduit between the students’ present level of know-how and that required for them to reach their final professional destination. We also invite professionals from diverse fields to regularly interact with our Middle Year and Senior Years students so they can learn about the latest best practices in different fields and the globally emerging career options. Through these interactions, we provide real-life grounding for our young scholars. Among the IB syllabus schools in India, we are one of the very few who also encourage field visits and site visits to businesses and industries as part of our educational ethos. Through these field visits, the students get exposed to professional settings which provide a sneak peek into how companies work on a daily basis. Visit by higher educational institutions from within India and overseas completes this career guidance work of ours. Interacting with the admissions officers from such institutions, the students learn valuably about the next steps in their education that will take them to their ultimate career objectives .We also hold open houses for students and parents within our academic calendar, and will be delighted to have you visit us admissions@www.www.mitgurukul.com and ask your queries about your wards’ further education.
Keeping our roots alive – heritage, cultural and spirituality ethos of MIT Gurukul
As your children come to MIT Gurukul for their long educational sojourn, we prepare them for becoming a global citizen through the International Baccalaureate syllabus. Yet simultaneously we also ensure they are grounded into the ethos of the Indian cultural heritage. It is our belief that the holistic development of students requires a firm foundation in spirituality over which they build their intellectual domains. The curriculum of our school thus includes the principles of Guru-Shishya Parampara, or the strong bond between the teacher and the pupil, which is the means to enlightenment of both the mind and the soul. The close proximity between our teachers and students ensures that the students receive training for development of their emotional and intellectual quotients. The focus of our yoga and meditation classes is to bring out the higher sensibilities in students. These include empathy, kindness, forgiveness and morality. Along with this we also hold discussions and talks to align our students with the principles of selflessness, charity, culture and ethics. At MIT Gurukul, we inculcate the vision of ‘humanity is one’ through our cultural training, and respect for all religious faiths. Thus our campus finds celebration of diverse festivals where the entire MIT fraternity participates as one family. We are a potpourri of colour and celebration during such occasions, and every student is encouraged to participate in them. Among the best residential schools in Maharashtra, India, our curriculum is thus meant for ‘education for life’, and not just education for exams. [INSERT_ELEMENTOR id=”5216″] To inculcate a scientific essence in this spiritual education our campus is located in serene environs on the banks of the Mula-Mutha river. Teaching about keeping our rivers clean is an integral part of our education curriculum. Our herbal garden on the campus is an extension of the same ideology. We look to educate our students on the health benefits of plants and herbs while telling them about their mention in our ancient medicinal traditions and texts. Discussions, debates and symposiums on topics of equality, education, respect for elders and women, and environment are held regularly. We also invite eminent scholars and philanthropists to speak with our children, so they learn through real life examples. Additionally doing community outreach to impact the world positively is an indispensable part of our education. Being at one of the best environs of MIT Gurukul, we are proud to say that your child will not only emerge as a competent scholar, but also as a responsible global citizen. Come and become an integral part of the MIT Gurukul family by enrolling your child with us.