The Duolingo English Test (DET), organized the inaugural Study Abroad Fest with DET in India on 4th August, Sunday in Hyderabad. The event brought over 800 students together, where they got deep insights into the journey of studying abroad, from identifying courses to preparing applications to planning finances for living abroad.
Curated specially for the students, addressing their biggest pain points, this study abroad fest featured India’s leading key opinion leaders in the field and doyens from the region, who inspired the students through their study abroad experiences as international students in their time.
Adivi Sesh said, “If I had to go to the US now I would prefer taking the Duolingo English Test as I would be able to give it from the comfort of my home.”
Director Sailesh Kolanu said, “I operate much better from my couch so I was sold when I heard that the DET can be given from home!” Sailesh also shared that he was interested in research and chose Australia for his higher education as the government was ready to sponsor his potential.
Aspiring students also gave a rousing welcome to an inspirational hero, Srikanth Bolla, who challenged the Indian education system to become the first visually impaired student to study science in an Indian university, paving the way for generations of similar students to follow their dreams. Now an industrialist and the founder of Bollant Industries, Srikanth was also the first visually impaired student in Management Science at the Sloan School of Management at MIT.
Srikanth Bolla said, “I might lack eyesight, but I don’t lack vision”, and recommended that more students should seek to study abroad as it widens their world view and horizon. Rajkummar Rao’s recent film ‘Srikanth’ is based on Bolla’s inspiring story.
The Study Abroad Fest offered students a platform to explore international career opportunities and academic pursuits. Other engaging activities included panel discussions and workshops led by finance and social impact influencers Shashank, Murrad, Dhairya, and Sudhakaran. They provided practical advice on the study abroad journey including the application process, managing finances, course selection, accommodation tips and the overall student experience.
Here are four top tips that students can learn from these experts:
- If you’re looking for scholarships, it is recommended to apply at least one year in advance. – Murrad
- Build a 360-degree profile, your LinkedIn banner should stand out. Get active and activate your network and get your skills endorsed.” Some of the advice shared by the experts was as follows – Dhairya
- Always write your own SOP, never outsource it. Also be real in your SOP. Don’t write what you think the college might want to hear, write honestly about your life, your struggles, how you overcame it and how you won! Pro hack is to shoot a 60 seconds Youtube video about yourself and attach the link in the documents. – Shashank
- Make sure you have a letter of recommendation, and put extra effort to find scholarships to be wise in finance. – Sudhakaran
Launched in 2019, the Duolingo English Test is the first digital English proficiency test and saw quick adoption in India. Test takers have found great value in the flexibility and convenience that the test offers, thus enabling them more time to focus on other aspects related to their study abroad journey.
The DET is available at a fraction of the cost of other alternatives in the market (approx. INR 5000) and allows test takers to take unlimited practice tests and apply to unlimited international universities from the vast list of over 5000 institutions across the US, UK, Canada, Germany and other markets.
Nidamaluri Sandeep said, “The panel discussions provided clarity on the application process and what to expect as an international student. It was great to hear from others who have been through the process and learn from their experiences.”
Tara Kapur, Marketing Head for India at Duolingo English Test, said, “India stands as the largest market for the Duolingo English Test, with Hyderabad leading as the top city for DET test-takers, reflecting strong demand for international education, especially for the US. Recognising this, the Study Abroad Fest was a significant initiative in DET’s commitment to breaking down barriers to global education access. We believe in the power of the English language as a key to unlocking international opportunities. This event was designed to inspire and guide students, showing them that no dream is too big. We are thrilled to see such an enthusiastic response, reinforcing our mission to support every student in achieving their global education aspirations, regardless of their background. Our goal is to empower students to confidently step onto the international stage and realise their dreams.”
As part of its strategy to reach and support aspiring students, the Duolingo English Test (DET) has been actively engaging in various marketing efforts in Hyderabad, which remains its top market. The highlight of these efforts was the recent Study Abroad Fest with the DET. In addition to this, an extensive out-of-home (OOH) campaign was launched across Hyderabad, targeting key areas to maximize visibility and engagement for why students choose the DET over other traditional tests.
DET also partnered with student communities like ‘Student Tribe’ to build trust and spread awareness about the test. The DET has also co-hosted events with partners like AIESEC and collaborated closely with agent partners on branding and co-branded events. Additionally, local influencer campaigns help the brand connect to the student community on a personal level.
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