This document discusses the risks and benefits of pursuing a bachelor's degree overseas versus locally. As an 18-year-old high school graduate, the author was accepted to both a local university and Concordia University in Montreal. Though Concordia offered an appealing program, it came with greater risks including language barriers, financial costs, and leaving their comfort zone. After analyzing both options, the author decided to attend Concordia. They graduated in 2011 with an degree and five job offers, accepting a position with Nestle. Studying overseas provided significant career benefits like strong English skills and social benefits such as new relationships and exposure to different cultures. The author is now ready to take new risks in their career.

1. “You got to risk it to get the biscuit”
-Unknown
C. Describe a time when you took a great risk. What
was the outcome?
“If you are not willing to risk the usual, you will have to settle
for the ordinary”
- Jim Rohn
“There can be no great accomplishment without risk!”
- Neil Armstrong
“Only those who will risk going too far, can possibly find out how far
one can go”
- T.S Eliot
“To know what life is worth, you have to risk it once in a
while!”
- Jean-Paul Sartre
“It is a Risk to love, What if it does not work? AH, but what if it
does?!!”
- Peter McWilliams
“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take”
- Wayne Gretzky
“He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish
nothing in life”
- Muhammad Ali
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2. Agenda
2
Overview 3
•Decision Process 4
•Risks 5
•Benefits 6
Decision 7
•The Journey - Academic 8
•The Journey - Social 9
Outcome 10
•Career benefits 11
•Social benefits 12
•Next Risk 13

3. • I was 18 years old, high school graduate and I had received multiple undergraduate acceptance.
• Major conflict: decide whether to pursue my bachelor’s degree at:
• Option 1: Local university
or
• Option 2: Overseas university
• I graduated with an excellent local standing: thus, to get accepted and succeed in local Programs was
more of a certain thing.
• However, the program offered at Concordia university (overseas university) was challenging and most
appealing option.
However, it came with risks and wasn’t as sweet as it sounded
Overview
3

4. Identify Risk
Analyse
Plan
Action
Take the Leap
• Identify the risks taken
• Analyse the benefits of each option
• Plan to minimize the risks
“You can if you want”
 Work on my Language skills
 Plan my course load ahead
 Save money to support my expenses
• Consult my parents and ask for their support.
• Action Taken.
Decision Process
4

5. • If selected, the only risk I had was the loss
of an opportunity to get a better education
abroad.
• Risk my GPA
• Language
• Financial risk –cost of program and personal expenses with minimum income
• Leaving my comfort zone
• Time to finish program.
Approximate tuition per year: 30,000 USD
Command of English Language: Poor
High School GPA : 92% out of 100
Credits require: 123 Hrs. = 41 courses
Studying at a local university Vs. Studying at Concordia university
Risks
5
GPA
Language
Financial
Risk
Comfort
Zone
f
Time

6. • No language barrier
• High chances of obtaining my degree with
good standing
• Surrounded with family and friends
• Cost of program was low
• Challenging choice
• Attractive strong program offered
• New environment to explore
• Personal development: Language, maturity and
dependence, etc..
• competitive graduate candidate
Studying at a local university Vs. Studying at Concordia university
Benefits
6

7. “ Challenged accepted, Montreal! Here I come!!”
Scared as I was, I Jumped on a plane and 18 hours later I was in Montreal, Canada
Decision
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! Canada holds the record for the most gold
medals ever won at the Winter Olympics
! Montreal is home to many beautiful
churches and is often called The City of Saints
or City of a hundred bell towers
! Canada is also home to the longest street in
the world. Yonge Street – 2000 KM
! In Montreal, On average there are 12 days per
year with a wind-chill below -30 C and one day
per year with a wind-chill below -40 C
! Canada has over 30000 lakes, 10 provinces and 3
territories,2 main languages spoken which are English and
French and it is the second largest country in the world by
total area

8. Academic
- The first year didn’t proceed as planned, the difficulty of the
course with my language restriction was challenging more than I
anticipated.
- Worked with major companies on projects such as:
- Starbucks
- Wal-Mart
- Created strong long lasting relationship with my mentors-
professors.
- A challenging, victorious and memorable semester I had was
when I registered for full course load with the toughest courses
picked, a challenge I had with my advisor.
The Journey - Academic
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9.  The cold weather created a major shock for me, however; I did
witness my first snow fall that year.
 Go HABS GO! i got the chance to watch Hockey games in the
city of The Champions.
 Poutine! Doesn’t look as good as it tastes but it should be the
first thing you try when visiting Canada
 Developed my passion for literature, art and music (Jazz) since
Montreal is known for hosting massive yearly events.
The Journey- Social
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10. Outcome
• Graduated in 2011
• 5 job offers received
• Hired by the a well-known multinational
company – Nestle waters
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• Explored a new culture
• Strong social relationship
• Memorable life experience
• Excellent command of the English
language

11. - Returning in September 2011, I realize how fortunate I was to have taken the risk. Not only
did I obtain my degree but also the following:
• Career Benefits:
 5 Job offers and I was able to land a job in the career path and pay I desired.
 Today I hold the position of Distribution deputy manager and will be promoted to Senior Demand &
Supply Manager.
 My critical thinking skills, decision making process and working under pressure has come in hand
throughout my career.
 I continue to impress my superiors and show signs of continuous development.
 Being exposed to other cultures than mine gave me the understanding to be able to work with more
than 14 different nationalities today.
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Outcome – Career Benefits

12. 12
Social Benefits
 Met various people from around the world.
 Exposed and adapted new cultures, principles and values.
 Social connections gained through my studies has come in
use in multiple occasion in my personal and career life.
 My second language skills has developed to the extent I use
it more than my native one.
 My self discipline and dependency has evolved dramatically
after living abroad.
Outcome – Social & Personal Benefits

13. Today, I roll the dice again!
A new similar risk awaits !
I.E
“Don't just Count your years, Make your years Count”
- George Meredith
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