More and more Indian undergraduates are opting for overseas education. The number of Indian students choosing to study abroad has doubled in the past few years. Even the Covid-19 pandemic could not stop Indian students from dreaming of pursuing foreign education in countries like Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Germany, New Zealand, etc. As per a forecast by RedSeer report, 1.8 million Indian students will be moving abroad for higher studies by 2024. Total student spending for education abroad is expected to surpass US$75 billion.
Canada has emerged as a leading study-abroad destination for Indian students, surpassing the U.S. in the last four years. The rising income levels of Indian parents, easy availability of student loans, and other financial aids, accompanied by flexible post-study work permit options, have made more Indians seek foreign universities. Countries such as Australia, Canada, and the U.K. are attracting more students because of their student-friendly immigration policies, remarkable student support, and promising post-study work permit rights. Australia recently removed working hour restrictions for international students, opening more opportunities for them to become part of its dynamic economy.
The presence of global career opportunities, world-class universities, and international exposure are reasons why Indians are increasingly opting to study abroad.
Currently, Indians are the top source of students in leading destinations, notably Canada, the U.S., Australia, and the U.K. Apart from this, countries like Germany, Italy, China, Russia, Turkey, and Ireland are also receiving a large number of Indian students.
On the Indian Student Visa Day, the United States Embassy in India, Consul General David G. Ranz, noted, “Students are a big business for the United States, with Indian students contributing more than $8 billion a year… Last year we issued a record 100,000 visa applications to Indian students, which might double that number in 2022 according to our numbers.” The rising number of U.S. study visa approvals will inspire more Indians to opt for U.S education.
Some Indian states, like Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, etc., have well-established migrated communities in the world’s top destinations. Students from these states are more active in securing their visas than other states. They are also well aware of the study visa process and know how to obtain permanent residency visas in these countries.
Post-study work rights and part-time job opportunities are the most significant motivating factors for Indian students to follow their study abroad dreams. Countries like Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and other host countries also leave no stone unturned in offering international students academic opportunities and increased competitiveness to establish themselves in the global sphere.
In recent years, there has also been a commendable transition in the demographics of Indian students wishing to study in foreign universities. Small Indian cities such as Vijaywada, Tirupati, and Warangal, also known as Tier ii and Tier iii cities, are emerging as a significant source of International students in foreign universities. Students from these cities yearn for world-class education and a strong desire to gain global experience. Therefore, it would not be wrong to say that the trend will continue to grow as the Indian youth in both small and big cities desire to establish their mark in the world’s leading destinations, not as students but as professional leaders.
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