With the value of the rupee strengthening in recent weeks, the United States is hopeful of having more Indian students chase the American dream this academic year.
Speaking about the initiatives of ‘Education USA’, US Consul General Jennifer A. McIntyre told The Hindu on Tuesday that Indian students made up for 12 per cent of the total foreign students studying in the US, the second largest cohort after China.
“Close to one lakh Indian students are studying in higher education institutions in the US today and there has been an increase in the number. There may be around two lakh Chinese students out of the total eight lakh students,” she said.
‘Long-term plan’Maya Sundararajan, regional officer, United States – India Educational Foundation (USIEF), said studying in the US was a ‘long-term plan’ and students and parents usually factored in the fluctuation in the value of the rupee against the US dollar. “But this year, we expect more students to apply,” she added, referring to the appreciation of the rupee.
IncreaseShe also said a 37 per cent increase in the number of Indian students going to the US was witnessed in 2013-14.
Ms. McIntyre said Indian students, especially from south India, formed a large number in the 4,000 colleges and universities in the USA and that they “tend to do well.”
MisconceptionsMs. McIntyre dispelled ‘visa problems’ as misconceptions, saying much of it had to do with lack of proper documents and late preparations.
Ms. Sundararajan said that students were advised to start preparations at least 18 months in advance.
Swetha Muthanna, director, Yashna Trust, Education USA’s advising centre in the city, said the entire cost of studying in the US, including tuition fee and living expenses, ranged from 25,000 US dollars to 60,000 US dollars, depending on the location and college. For details on Education USA’s Bangalore centre, visit www.yashnatrust.org or call 080-41251922.
