Halp. co, the world’s largest and tech-enabled international college admissions coaching platform makes studying abroad easy with premium 1:1 digital admissions coaching for free. The startup currently has 18,000 + users on the platform and works with students from 88 countries. It offers end-to-end services to the students from the day they join until they land on campus. Support from Halp does not stop once a student is accepted. Halp coaches, who live in these destination countries, are committed to ensuring students feel confident and ready for their first day of school. After students are accepted and receive their visas their coach helps them prepare to move including, purchasing flights, setting up bank accounts, phone plans, and more! We also have partnerships with loan providers (who have the lowest possible rates).
How is Halp different from other study abroad coaching platforms? Could you please describe Halp and its journey?
Halp is one of the world’s largest tech-enabled international college admissions coaching platforms that offers 1:1 digital admission coaching to students aspiring to study abroad. Our mission is to make learning accessible to everyone by becoming the infrastructure, bank and teacher for every global learner. We started by making international admissions easier, more affordable, and more convenient for students looking to study abroad. Halp currently has 18,000+ users on the platform. We work with students from more than 88 countries, with the majority of our members being from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. In India we have partnered with more than 100 institutions, breaking geographical barriers and reaching students deep inside India through our tech-enabled end-to-end free online personal support. Our emphasis has always been to provide our services free of cost to students so that they can save for studying abroad at their desired institutions.
How is technology enabling Halp in reaching out to its potential target audience in country?
Digital technologies have fast-forwarded the evolution of the education system over several decades. The education system is not only much more affordable and accessible, but it is also much more experiential and personalized. Today a student can access world-class education from any place or time just with a smartphone and internet connection. The developments happening in the education sector in one part of the world rapidly reach all parts of the globe. In India, with ever-increasing digital and smartphone penetration, more and more people are coming online which has helped us reach students not only in the metropolitans but in the remotest parts.
What are some of the biggest obstacles students face when looking for an education abroad? How do you assist pupils in overcoming these difficulties?
Even while access to education is improving, there are still obstacles for students who want to study abroad. Local agents make promises they don’t keep and charge exorbitant upfront fees. Because of this, they are either only available to wealthy families who can afford astronomical costs or to middle-class families that put in a lot of effort to pay for them just to be given a false dream. Students and their parents living in rural areas must travel great distances to meet with representatives in person each time they need assistance.
Halp has the distinct honour to be the only premium 1:1 study abroad coaching platform that offers its services free of cost to all students. With a large network of partners, more than 70 institutions, and tech-enabled end-to-end free online personal support, we are able to reach students beyond metropolitan regions and deep inside India. In fact, we are seeing significant traction in rural regions for studying abroad. Halp’s international coaches live (and have studied) in the destination countries where students are applying which makes them very effective in helping students. Along with admissions counselling, Halp coaches assist the students with end-to-end support in setting up a new life in the new country; including flights, phone plans, bank accounts, accommodation, visas, scholarships, loans, and everything that they need to start their education in that country.
What are your expansion plans in India?
We are currently putting a large focus on our institution partners in India and trying to grow our network. Working with institutions directly allows us to teach students about the study abroad process before they graduate giving them time to prepare. We’re excited to expand our institution partnership network over the next few months.
What are the tips you would like to give students who are looking to study abroad?
It might be challenging to know what options are available to you as a student in upper-secondary or post-secondary education. Do some research, but not just online. Join a club or society at school, volunteer, and apply for an internship if possible! You will learn what you enjoy or find intriguing as a result of all of these encounters. Additionally, you ought to network and seek out mentors in the fields that interest you because they may offer helpful information and opportunities. Last but not least, build your educational strategy around obtaining the occupation you desire. Studying abroad might open up a variety of intriguing employment possibilities. If you are preparing to study abroad, it is essential to plan and break down the process into manageable tasks. Start by researching your destination, language requirements, housing options, and transportation. Make a checklist of everything you need to do, and prioritize your tasks based on their importance and deadlines. A clear plan will put you more in control of the situation. Having a plan B is also a great idea.
