Why Do Indian Students Prefer US To Study Abroad

Amongst all the western hotspots, the US continues to be one of the most preferred destinations by Indian students for pursuing higher studies. As per the World Reputation Index, 2022, seven out of the top ten universities having the highest reputation for curriculum and studies are from the United States. In the context of the education rankings, the US has held the numero uno spot consistently for years. Hence, US-based institutions are always on the list of students when it comes to preferences and trying to be in the best colleges and universities for pursuing higher education. 

In the previous year, the total number of Indian students in the US increased by 12 per cent. Even though the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on these numbers cannot be ignored, it is also important to underline that since the pandemic is subsiding slowly, the overall number of students from the country to the US is expected to rise at a significant pace. However, the critical factor is to find out the reasons behind these exciting and encouraging statistics.

Presence of top-Ranked institutions

It is important to reiterate that some of the best institutions and colleges in different streams and disciplines are located in the country. When a student thinks about pursuing higher education in a foreign country, one of the first thoughts is the best institutions that can impart the requisite skills and knowledge for overall professional development. It is no surprise that amongst the top fifty universities in the world, 15 are located in the US. The country has consistently maintained the highest standards for studies that promote a liberal and open learning environment for people worldwide. 

Career and growth opportunities

The US is the largest economy in the world. Even though the economy's growth is not as much as in other emerging countries, the overall size of the economic system and the infrastructure for growth available for companies provide a wide range of career and growth opportunities for students belonging to different streams. The US is home to almost 64.7 per cent of the total unicorn start-up companies globally, thereby signifying that the growth opportunities in the country are unmatched by any other nation in the world. The country has almost 33 per cent of total MNCs currently operating globally, thereby re-establishing its might in the corporate sector. Hence, a student from India can expect to be provided with the highest level of education and be employment-ready due to the presence of companies providing a lot of opportunities for growth and career expansion. 

Flexible academic environment

One of the salient features of America's academic dominance could be attributed to the constant changes that its decision-makers have made in the environment. Rather than sticking with the learning and teaching processes of yesteryears, the country has constantly expanded its syllabus (in all domains), included the latest technology for imparting studies, improved the assessment processes, and helped in the collaborative growth of the students.  The students want to be a part of this kind of academic environment, and hence, the US remains at the top of their priority lists. 

Impeccable support for international students

The country and different states have a well-defined system of getting the students on board and supporting them throughout their stay in the country. There are specialised organisations that work to provide financial aid, counselling, help in employment, and address the usual queries and issues that international students might face in the country. Hence, a student feels secure in a foreign country due to the consistent support and the overall dependable environment that the country offers to students.  

Melting pot and cultural pluralism 

One of the most significant shortcomings of higher education could be the impact of regional biases and cultural influences on the syllabus and curriculum. However, the scope of discussions and following the real purpose of imparting higher education is achieved in the US as the country is deemed a global melting point and supports cultural pluralism. The students are open to diverse viewpoints, and the overall thought process improves by interacting with co-students and teachers from diverse backgrounds. It helps promote tolerance among students, which is a critical aspect of learning and gaining knowledge from different cultures. 

There are practical, academic and educational reasons why the United States is considered the most preferred nation by Indian students for pursuing higher education. This trend is expected to continue in the future since students have access to reliable information through different media and pursuing higher education in the US has become more streamlined than before. 

Ashish Fernando

Guest Author The author is the Founder and CEO of iSchoolConnect