Amidst Canada disfavour, the US, Australia, and the UK may win over most Indian students
Australia and the UK.
As Indians students explore alternative destinations amid heightened India-Canada tensions, the trio is likely to benefit the most if the situation doesn't improve soon, more than half-a-dozen educational consultants told ET.
All of them said a large number of Indian students who were looking to study in Canada are now looking at other options due to the deteriorating situation, lack of safety and uncertainty about the immediate future.
The US is the first choice for many. «Given the speed at which the situation has escalated, almost every student who was considering Canada is keeping a back-up option,» said Karan Gupta, founder of study abroad career consultancy Karan Gupta Consulting.
Variety of Courses in US
«A majority of these students will apply to the US,» he said.
This, said Gupta, is mainly because of the large variety of courses and universities in the US, as well as the opportunity to work after graduation. «The US offers STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) students a three-year work permit after graduation.
This makes it an attractive choice for students who were looking to work in Canada after graduation,» he said.
Vaibhav Gupta, chief marketing officer at iSchoolConnect, agreed. «For most, the US is the next best option,» he said.
«This is for two reasons — one, the proximity to Canada, where most Indians have friends and relatives, and find it safe to send their wards. Second, Canadian companies and immigration laws give preference to students who have graduated from US universities.»
Others to Gain
Narayanan Ramaswamy, national leader (education and skill development) at KPMG in India, has a slightly different take.
