The number of Indian students going to the U.S. is at a record high, outdoing even that of China, a recently-conducted report has revealed. According to the 2015 Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange, there has been an increase of 29.4 per cent (constituting 1,32,888 students) in the number of Indian students heading to the U.S. for higher studies, surpassing China which saw an 11 per cent increase in the 2014-15 academic year.
The Open Doors is published by U.S.-based Institute of International Education, an independent not-for profit organisation.
China, however, remains the top country of origin of international students in the U.S. India and China together constitute nearly 45 per cent of the total number of international students in the U.S.
India is the second leading place of origin, accounting for 13.6 per cent of the total international student population. The last time India grew at a comparable rate was during the 2000-01 academic year when the number of students exceeded 50,000 for the first time. Significantly, the record-breaking increase this year comes after a three-year declining trend.
“As a son of educators and a beneficiary of American higher education myself, I am excited to see the record number of Indian students participating in and contributing to life and studies on American campuses,” US ambassador to India Richard Verma said.
According to the report, engineering emerged the top favourite field of study among Indians with 31.4 per cent of student enrolments, followed by mathematics/computer at 31.4 per cent and business at 10.7 per cent. The report also suggested that Indians prefer to study in the U.S. at the graduate level (64 per cent), with 12 per cent of the students enrolled in undergraduate courses.
About 21 per cent of Indian students in the U.S. are engaged in Optional Practical Training Program which allows them to work in paid positions for a year after completing their degree programme in the U.S. and for an additional 17 months if they are in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
“International experience is one of the most important components of a 21st century education. Studying abroad is one of the best ways undergraduate and graduate students gain the international experience necessary to succeed in today’s global workforce,” said Institute of International Education president Allan E. Goodman.
