Indian students flock to US

Updated on: Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Kolkata: The number of Indian students enrolled in US institutions of higher education rose by 9.2 per cent over the 2007/08 academic year.

The increase was from 94,563 to 103,260. India now ranks number one among the leading countries of origin of international students in the US, according to Open Doors 2009, the annual report on international academic mobility published by the Institute of International Education (IIE) with support from the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the United States Department of State

This year’s Open Doors report shows that the total number of international students at colleges and universities in the United States increased by 8 per cent to an all-time high of 671,616 in the 2008/09 academic year. The report also shows a 15.8 per cent increase in the number of “new” international students - those enrolled for the first time at a US college or university in fall 2008.

Chad P Cummins, director, American Center, Kolkata, noted: ”This is quite clear from these reports that despite last year’s economic slowdown, the US remains the preferred destination for Indian students, who want to study there due to the quality of education and prestige associated with an American degree.”

“Another contributing factor is,” he said, “greater access to comprehensive and accurate information about study in the US through EducationUSA advising offices in India and an increased level activity by United States colleges and universities to attract students from India.”

Open Doors also reported that 3150 American students studied in India in the 2007/08 academic year, an increase of 19.9 per cent. The total number of Americans studying abroad increased by 8.5 per cent to a total of 262,416.

According to Allan E Goodman, president and CEO of the New York-based Institute of International Education,

“American higher education continues to be highly valued throughout the world. US campuses offer unparalleled opportunities for creativity, flexibility, and cultural exchange.

Indian students flock to US

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