In 2019-20, Indian students contributed $7.6 billion to US economy
What's the story
Even though there was a decline of 4.4% in the total number of Indian students in the United States, their contribution to the economy of the powerful nation was nearly $7.6 billion, said a report titled Opens Doors 2020. For the fifth consecutive year, the US welcomed more than one million international students in an academic year, added the report.
China
China sent the most number of foreign students to US
According to the US Department of Commerce, foreign students contributed $44 billion to the country's economy in 2019. Data suggested that China sent the most number of students in the country; more than 3,72,000 Chinese students were in the US in the academic year 2019-20. Moreover, the count of Chinese students in the US increased for the 16th consecutive year.
Data
Fewer students went to US, coronavirus could be the reason
Data suggested that after China, India exported the maximum number of students to the US. 193,124 Indian students chose the US for studies. It's also worth highlighting that India wasn't the only nation to send fewer students to the US. During the 2019-20 academic year, there was a decline of 1.8% in foreign students. This dip could be driven by the coronavirus pandemic.
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7% rise in Bangladesh's students, 17% decline in Saudi Arabia's
However, there was a 7% increase in students from Bangladesh choosing the US for higher studies, followed by Brazil (4%) and Nigeria (3%). Meanwhile, there was a decline of 17% in students from Saudi Arabia because the government had tweaked the scholarship program.
Statement
"International student mobility important more than ever"
Marie Royce, Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs, seemed pleased at the report. "International student mobility is as important today as ever, and we believe the United States is the best destination for students to study and earn their degrees. Education is a pathway to a greater future and international educational exchange has the power to transform students' trajectories," Royce said.
Sentiment
Meanwhile, with Biden taking charge, Indian students have new hopes
Now, as the administration in the US is changing — President Donald Trump lost the election to his Democrat challenger Joe Biden this month — a few Indian students are confident that the country will be more welcoming. Richa Dwivedi Saklani, who heads a consulting firm Inomi Learning in Gurugram, told Livemint the negative voices, about immigration and visa issues, confused many students.
Demand
Expert believes US education didn't attract students anymore
Further, she revealed that students were waiting for Presidential elections' results before deciding about their future. "The H-1B visa restrictions have caused a lot of negativity, though it is not directly related to university education. We have observed that demand for US education among international students has gone down to some extent in the recent past," she added.