Study abroad programs no longer exclusive to the elite in India
By Abhinav Mital
199,182 students from India studied in the United States during the 2021–2022 academic year, which was a roughly 20% increase over the previous year, as per the Open Doors 2022 Report on International Educational Exchange, issued by the Institute of International Education and the State Department in November 2022.
As of July 2022, 96,000 Indian students were studying in Australia, forming the second-largest group of foreign students after China.
According to German Academic Exchange Service (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst – DAAD) data approximately 350,000 Indian students were registered at German universities in the winter semester 2021-22.
According to Education New Zealand, the country approved 1,677 student visa applications from India between last December and February this year.
Over the last decade, the quest for overseas education has experienced a transformative shift in India. Conventionally, study abroad programs were largely favored by the elite class due to their high costs, prestige associated with a university, and limited accessibility. However, this scenario has transformed significantly over time. The mindset of students has changed, with a growing emphasis on the quality of education and more accessibility, increasing the number of middle-class Indian students studying abroad.
A recent rise in “study abroad” for Indian students overseas captures the transformation of this trend. The growth could be attributed to the growing number of middle-class students who are now opting to study abroad.
India’s middle class has seen a swift increase over the past decade, driven by economic growth, better living standards, and increased job opportunities. This socio-economic growth has
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