International Students to India on the Rise


International students consider India as a leader in the IT field, and come here to develop their expertise in IT. It is also seen that English skills is another reason these students choose India, as they get to polish these skills here.

Another reason why the international students chose India for higher studies is the relatively cheap education compared to western and other Asian countries. An international student from MIT College, Pune said "For an education of high level at an affordable price India was the perfect choice," as reported by rediff.com.  Others come on scholarships offered by their own governments or through the ICCR scheme.

Many also come here only because they are fascinated by India and come here to embrace the Indian culture. Further, students from neighbouring countries find a similarity through religion, language and culture.

While most of the countries approach education with projects, on-jobs training and practical classes, India focuses on theory. This is disappointing though, as the students tend to learn more for marks than knowledge. However, a student pointed out "In India, educational institutes still have a concept of 'learning the theory' first,” as reported by rediff.com.

Another negative aspect could be that social engagement is where not all students feel comfortable, as many international students sometimes tend to feel out of place.

However, Dr Mala Narang Reddy, Assistant Professor, Department of Policy Studies at the TERI University was quoted saying "Global diversity can enhance learning in many ways. While discussing examples in class, foreign students raise issues pertinent to their countries, and class discussions become a medium of learning," reported rediff.com.

Also Read: Fewer Indian Students Going To U.S.; China Surges Ahead