The promising prospect of a better future is what drives many young Indians to seek foreign education in countries like the US, UK, Germany, Australia, and Canada. Predominantly made of middle-class families, most Indian students migrating for study abroad programs and mostly with scholarships, with the hopes of bagging better work opportunities in western countries may it be for monetary reasons, global exposure, international networking or all.
Students belonging to this segment are likely to opt for countries that offer opportunities to
retain graduates into their economic frame after the completion of their education. With the introduction of student work permits and additional work visas by most international destinations, a vast majority of the Indian student population has found the avenue to push
their individual career paths abroad. Universities around the world have recognized the importance of retaining and integrating their Indian student population into their country’s skill market due to their adaptability and willingness to assimilate in any environment.
The average Indian studying abroad fares well in comparison to the local student population in terms of overall academic performance. This has resulted in Indian students acquiring a reputation for being considered as ‘intelligent’ in any given country. In reality, Indian students are regarded as intelligent or clever due to certain unique traits they carry or wilfully adopt in an international learning environment.
1. Hard workers with tunnel vision
Indian students are known to have tunnel vision when it comes to their choice of future career paths. Beginning from a very young age most students will have already started on a
specific career path by taking additional courses, opting for after-school activities etc, to keep them updated in the field of study. An average Indian student will have steady support from their parents to seek out a career path in harmony with their economic/ intellectual standing.
2. Highly goal-oriented
Most Indian students pursuing international education possess an undergraduate degree
and choose to expand their field of expertise through additional Masters or post-graduate
program at reputed foreign universities. Since such students have already decided on the field of work they want to venture in, their pre-set goals make them efficient candidates for on-campus selections abroad.
3. Resourceful and respectful
Indian students studying abroad are known to be resourceful with what is available to
them, in the way they carry about their daily affairs. From cutting costs on everyday
purchases to leading a disciplined academic life, Indian students have a penchant
towards adapting to their environment. Despite the initial culture shock, these students endure their new surroundings patiently until they become accustomed to the people and place. These traits are bound to come in handy while assimilating in a diverse workplace in a new country.
4. The IT advantage
With majority of the Indian population leaning towards information technology education, India has produced the highest number of engineers in the world, whilst contributing to almost 7% of the Global Economy.
Almost every country in the West has identified India’s IT prowess, making it a prospective job market for IT-related outsourcing opportunities. Taking it one step further, many foreign countries now offer attractive postgraduate programs in the field along with an added benefit of a multitude of job opportunities that promise permanent residential prospects for students excelling in the field.
5. Domestic Competitive Exams
On the global stage, within the top 10 competitive exams in the world, India has four of
them. Based on difficulty, they are; Rank 1 - UPSE, Rank 5 - JEE-Advanced, Rank 6 - Chartered Accountancy Exams and Rank 10 - GATE.
Growing up with orientation by parents and acquaintances prompting about these types of competitive exams and many national level competitive exams like Army school exams, Navodaya, PMVKY, Science and Math Olympiads, etc. starting as early as fifth grade, Indian students are used to hard testing abilities and learn to cope and overcome difficult tasks which also helps them abroad.
To conclude on the above discussion, the growth momentum of Indian students studying overseas hinges on their ability to afford overseas education. This, in turn, relies on the economic growth of India which will support the expansion of experience-seekers while favorable immigration and visa policies in destination countries will attract maximisers.