Quick answer: A lot of common study abroad advice is outdated or oversimplified. The US isn’t automatically the best option, “without IELTS” doesn’t mean no English proof at all, fully-funded scholarships aren’t easy just because they’re free, and AI chatbots aren’t reliable for anything visa-specific. Here’s what’s actually true right now.

Myth 1: The US Is Still the Safest Default Choice

US student visa rejections have climbed sharply in recent years, and approval has gotten noticeably harder to predict. That doesn’t mean don’t apply, it means don’t assume it’s the “safe” option anymore just because it’s the most familiar one. Compare it honestly against alternatives like Germany, which is currently approving the large majority of Indian student visas in a matter of days.

Myth 2: Canada and Australia Are Always Easy Options

Canada’s new-student intake target keeps shrinking year over year. Australia hasn’t cut its numbers, but visa fees are up 25% and processing now depends on which university you choose, since institutions are ranked by compliance under a new priority system. Neither country is closed, but neither is the simple backup plan it used to be.

Myth 3: “Without IELTS” Means No English Proof Needed

Universities offering alternatives to IELTS still require proof of English ability, just through a different route, an MOI certificate, PTE, TOEFL, or Duolingo. And not every country treats these the same way. The UK, for example, only waives the test if your specific university certifies your English directly, not just because you took a different test.

Myth 4: Fully-Funded Scholarships Are an Easy Win

MEXT and GKS genuinely cover tuition, stipend, and airfare, but MEXT’s Research Student track acceptance has fallen to around 2.5% after applications surged. GKS runs better, around 5-13%, but it’s still competitive. Fully funded means more applicants chasing the same seats, not an easier bar to clear.

Myth 5: A Hybrid Online-Plus-Campus Degree Is the Same as Studying Fully Abroad

Some programs let you study online for a year before moving abroad. The degree certificate may look identical, but time spent studying online from India may not count toward physical residency requirements for post-study work visas in countries like Canada or the UK. Ask this specifically before enrolling in any hybrid program.

Myth 6: AI Chatbots Are a Reliable Source for Visa and Application Advice

AI tools are genuinely useful for comparing countries and narrowing down options. They’re far less reliable for anything specific and high-stakes, visa rules, fees, or SOP content, where a confident-sounding wrong answer can cost you an application. Students already sense this instinctively, only a small share use AI specifically for visa information, for good reason.

Myth 7: A Post-Study Work Visa Guarantees You Can Stay Back

Japan’s job-hunting visa requires proof you were already job searching before graduation, capped at one year. South Korea’s D-10 can stretch to two years, but only if you hit a points threshold based on your degree, age, and Korean language score. Both give you time to search, neither hands you a job.

Final Answer

Most study abroad myths aren’t lies, they’re just outdated advice that used to be true. Policies change fast enough now that what worked for a senior two years ago may not apply to you. If you want a current, honest read on your specific situation rather than recycled advice, book a free assessment with Aara. We don’t have university tie-ups, so what you get is what actually applies to you right now.