The United States remains the top destination for international students, welcoming over 9,14,000 international students from over 200 places of origin. Of this 9,14,000 international students, Indian students comprised nearly 20 per cent with 167,582 students in the 2020-2021 academic year, according to the 2021 Open Doors Report.
In 2020, the US Government and US higher-education institutions implemented measures to safely welcome international students in person, online, and via hybrid learning methods, guaranteeing that opportunities and resources to international students remained robust, as per the report.
“Despite the global pandemic, Indian students were able to apply for visas and travel to the United States. We issued over 62,000 student visas this summer alone, more than in any previous year. This goes to show that the United States remains the destination of choice for Indian students looking to study abroad. We look forward to issuing many more visas in the year to come, to help Indian students achieve their dreams of US study,” Minister Counselor for Consular Affairs Don Heflin said.
Heflin was speaking at the release of the Open Doors Report on international student mobility.
Counselor for Cultural and Educational Affairs Anthony Miranda stated, “International student mobility is central to US diplomacy, innovation, economic prosperity, and national security. The United States is the gold standard for higher education, providing world-class practical application and experience that gives our graduates an advantage in the global economy.”
“We value Indian students, as they build life-long connections with American peers to maintain and grow international partnerships, and to collectively address current and future global challenges,” the counselor added.
Open Doors Report is published by the Institute of International Education (IIE). Open Doors also reports on the number of international scholars at US universities and international students enrolled in pre-academic Intensive English Programmes. IIE has conducted an annual statistical survey on international students in the United States since its founding in 1919 and in partnership with the US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs since 1972.
Students seeking assistance about studying in the United States should download the EducationUSA India app, available for free on iOS and Android devices. EducationUSA is a global network of advising centres in 170 countries that is supported by the US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). In India, there are eight EducationUSA centres in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Ahmedabad and Hyderabad.
