By Mr. Vivek Jain
Every “wave” of the long-running pandemic must be an obstacle in your path to your chosen university for students who have received acceptance letters from prominent colleges and universities throughout the world. So, given the current situation, how can students whose ambitions to study abroad were thwarted last year proceed?
Students and parents alike are debating whether or not to send their children to study abroad this year, or if there are more suitable possibilities in their home country of India. Travel limitations, visa concerns, quarantine elements, mental anguish, and the ongoing nature of the epidemic are just a few of the difficulties that young adults and their parents are experiencing as a result of the current situation.
A glimmer of light
There appears to be some light at the end of the tunnel, despite the current darkness. If you’re planning to study abroad, you’ll be pleased to hear that the number of Omicron cases has begun to decline significantly. Almost all countries are now welcoming foreign students back to their universities. As a result, it is imperative for these international students to become conscious of their surroundings. Now that the landscape of foreign education has shifted as a result of Covid-19, this is an even more pressing issue. For the younger generation, it’s equally critical that they keep up with these new trends.
More than twice as many people apply for a job
Overseas education surveys have shown that the number of Indian students applying for admission to foreign universities has increased astronomically in 2022. For example, the number of Indian students applying to study in the United States for the fall of 2022 has doubled from the same period last year. The success rate for visa applications is also rising, with the US introducing an F1 Visa interview waiver program this year to further validate this trend.
It’s the same in the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada, which are all popular study locations. Australian “stay back” options for international students have already been increased from two to three years, with no restrictions on part-time employment. Applicants from India can also benefit from a two-year visa hold in the UK, as well as an easier admission process. An increase in the number of Indian students studying in Canada is expected this year, as seen by the long line of visa applications currently awaiting processing in Ottawa.
The United States is the top choice for Indian students, followed by the United Kingdom and Canada in terms of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) programs. All other courses, even specialized ones like sports analytics, environmental research, and wine analysis, are in high demand.
This increase in student admissions is a mystery to me. What is the cause?
In addition to the easing of the epidemic and the pent-up demand from last year, the vast employment prospects, attractive pay packages, and key jobs provided by leading firms to freshers during campus recruitment drives are driving the Indian students to opt for study in foreign countries. As an illustration, in 2019 the beginning salary for an Indian student studying Computer Science or Data Science in the United States was US$90,000; now it is US$220,000. Not to mention the other amenities, such as a sign-up bonus, stock options, free laundry, and meals, which are all included.
A further factor contributing to the heightened interest in international students this year is the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recognition of the Indian-origin Covishield and Covaxin vaccines. The fierce rivalry for undergraduate seats in India is another reason driving Indian students to look at options outside the country.
Positive thinking and optimism are the keys to success
International institutions are attracting more students than ever due to a variety of variables, including the apparent appeal of earning a degree from a distant country, as well as the accessibility and acceptability of immunizations. Furthermore, over 70% of undergraduates and postgraduates who are considering studying abroad do so for a variety of different reasons, including the availability of improved health care.
Here’s wishing them the best of success as they rush to catch planes to their study destinations and realize their dreams!
(It is written by Shiksha.com and NaukriFastforward‘s Chief Business Officer. The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author.)
Source: Financial Express
