• Based on a survey, I collated reasons why Indian students wish to study in the U.S. (pre-Trump2 era). If Indian institutions reduce the number of students going, it could have a multiplier effect on the economy. Plus the eSamskriti approach to education.

A friend’s daughter is considering going to the U.S. to study. She is not sure why but wishes to go. The conversation triggered this piece.

I reached out to friends and colleagues who studied or their kids study in the U.S. All of them went in the pre-Trump2 era. I remember Narayan Murthyji words, my son went to the U.S. because he did not get into IIT.

In the 80’s early 1990’s students went to the U.S. for post-graduation. Now students go even for under graduation. Perhaps, income and aspiration levels in India gone up not to forget fewer seats due to Reservations. 

This article first presents a collation of key views followed by individual views of 14 parents/students. This collation of Why Students go to study in the U.S., is not in order of priority.

1. Peer Pressure, Desire to be independent and Live the U.S. dream. 

2. Global Exposure/Networking, Mentorship and Alumni Network.

3. Strong industry University partnerships and Scale of U.S. companies.

4. It is easier to get into a renowned college in US compared to a top tier IIT.

5. Flexibility to change course and better Research options.

6. High quality education because U.S. universities attract the best talent globally.

7. Life- long branding and pride if you pass out from an Ivy League university.

8. For Computer Science students, all top companies are U.S. based.

9. Education is practical and focused on actual learning.

10. Indian students interact with people from all over. The exposure helps develop global perspectives, adaptability, and intercultural communication skills

11. Demand exceeds supply in India. Supply further reduced by increasing Reservations. Students forced to leave India.

12. Learning beyond the classroom through a variety of clubs and societies.

13. Most Professors connected to Research, so students work on real problems.

14. Students wish to know the WHY, have a healthy debate with Faculty. Seniority matters, but competence is paramount for the younger generation.

Am sure things are changing. According to this Times of India report, “Nearly 4.2 lakh Indian students went to the U.S. in 2024.” According to this 2025 India Today report, “Indians have sent an eye-watering Rs 1.76 lakh crore abroad over the last decade to fund the education of students studying overseas, new data from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has revealed. The amount is so huge that it could have paid for the construction of over 60 new IITs.” 

One can argue that Remittances have declined in Trump2 but think of the Multiplier Effect on the Indian economy and employment, even if 25% of the students decide to study in India instead. Just look at number of Indian students doing Medical studies abroad, found even in Ukraine and Bangladesh.

There is a huge opportunity in the education sector in India, if only the government, educationists and industry can work together.

The eSamskriti approach to education 

1. Be driven by ZIGYASA (curiosity).

2. The Rig Veda mantra 1.89.1, “Aano bhadra kratavo yantu vishwatah” means “Let noble thoughts come to us from all directions.” Have an open mind and learn to connect the Dots. 

3. The more learned & successful you become, the more Humble you should be.

4. There is greater joy in sharing than consuming.  

5. Practice Yoga to keep the body fit, mind calm and improve Memory.

6. If you want to Succeed, learn go Accept Failure.

7. Travel is form of learning.

Pic of those who came to attend the Harvard Education Program. 2015.  

Next are reasons given by individuals-parent or child, shared on a no-name basis.  

1. Did Post-Graduation in USA, now Professor in India.

1. Experience of living alone and being independent (freedom).

2. Better jobs (ignore policies of the current administration).

3. Higher compensation.  

4. Better opportunities in certain industries / sectors.

5. Better standard of living (easier, calmer, cleaner, lesser bureaucracy)

6. Global Exposure/Networking and Mentorship/Access to resources. 

7. Living the U.S. dream

1. U.S. universities offer much better facilities than private colleges in India. The laboratory equipment and exposure to latest technology make the learning experience much more updated and practical

2. ⁠The strong industry University partnerships means you get to work much closely with industry. This gives you early exposure (and increases changes of being hired by these companies). The sheer width of large companies you have access to is in an order of magnitude higher in the US

3. ⁠It is easier to get into a renowned college in US compared to a top tier IIT. The cream of IIT graduates get picked by the same companies that pick up normal kids from US colleges.

3. Father studied in the U.S., works in India, Son studying in the U.S.

1. Peer Pressure.

2. Desire to show off. Ashoka University and Indian School of Business are good!

3. The degree my son wanted to do is available only in the U.S.

4. Degree is a pathway to Immigration, atleast in the pre-Trump2 era.

5. Many go to have Fun. Parents have lots of money. Go to party, return and join family business. The U.S. exposure helps in widening horizons.  

6. Unlike in India, there is no RAGGING in the U.S.

4. Lives in U.S.A. went on a scholarship 20 years ago, now settled there

1. Quality of education 

2. More interdisciplinary options 

3. Desire to work with bigger technology-IT, science companies. Getting education there helps.  

1. Best university system in the world.

2. Style of teaching is unique. It is not top down like UK or India. One can challenge the professor. This leads to robust discussions.

3. Meritocracy. If you are good will rise.  Less politics within universities.

4. The best and brightest are together. Hence, one learn from each other as well because of the class environment and discussion.

5. Professors connected to research. They are doing real applied work. So students get to help them in solving real world problems.

6. Solid career options post masters and especially PhD.

Scuba Diving in Maharashtra.  

1. Education is contemporary, innovative and practical.

2. Walls between school and university broken meaning she can do a subject in MBA course and do a full-fledged communications course too.

3. Very good interactions with Professors and Alumini.

4.  Interaction with cross section of students from different countries.

5. Learning beyond the classroom through a variety of clubs and societies.

6. Education has enhanced her self-confidence and helped develop potential.

7. Daughter studying Engineering in the U.S. from Tier 2 city

1. Experience life outside India.

2. More support to business owners and specific field opportunities.

3. More space to cultivate skills and talents (incubators).

4. Stronger Alumni network. 

5. Ample of holistic learning and hands on experience. 

6. Many club activities on campus.

7. In India, there are fewer Universities and more students.

8. Son doing MBA at Ivy League.

1. Flexibility in changing subjects, majors and minors even after finishing a year or two of the study.

2. Global perspective and global scale of what you learn.

3. Networking with the best and across the world.

4. Innovation and latest research happens in the US.

5. Alumni status of the top institution.normal'>6. Best faculty exist in top US institutes. (might change in Trump2 era).

9. Both sons studying in the U.S. Father too did MBA in the U.S.

1. Easier admissions (except to popular US colleges) and better quality education.

2. More application based education than Ratta Baazi (mugging) education.

3. More study options and specialization. 

4. Flexibility to change course for e.g. from Electrical engineering to Mechanical, etc. and at times even from some non-technical to a technical course etc.

5. Better research options.

6. Better brand value of graduate student esp. if from a popular University.

10. Child studying in the U.S.

1. Meritocracy- no reservations, nepotism.  

2. International recognition for Degrees, hence better job opportunities. 

3. Status symbol and social recognition.

4. Avoid corrupt politicians and judiciary.

5. Pollution free climate and comparatively better infrastructure.

Adi Kailash in Kumaon.  

11. Under graduation in the U.S., returned for post-graduation. Settled in India. 

1. It is a Status Symbol thing. Every wealthy person wants to send child abroad.

2. Peer Pressure - Children studying in schools like Cathedral and Ambani (Mumbai) want to go abroad, because their peers are going. It is a trend now.

3. The U.S. system of education is good, more practical and understanding based.

4. After doing APs (type of entrance exams) courses (subjects taught according to American style) in school, I realized that I like that style better. It helped me understand the concepts and the why.

5. Father says – kids (16-17 age) want to live by themselves and explore another country. Kids attracted because the U.S. has exported their culture worldwide.

6. For my subject (computer science), all top jobs/companies are US based, so it helps to know that there is a pathway to earn back what you spent on tuition.

1. Recognition by multinationals of reputable universities is high with campus recruitment.

2. Post education career potential is much higher.

3. Higher education like PhD is amazing where you do real research work and getting funds for research is relatively better. Overall, exposure during studying and working is very good.

4. Studying in the U.S.A. gave them opportunity to study and work with the best.

13. South India based parent

1. High quality instruction by Professors who have research experience.  

2. Industries entrust intense science and tech problems resolution, opportunities validation and development to Universities. So get to participate in studying and resolving.

3. Summer or Project work has real world business application, be it working with an Industrial Company or Industrial Design Centre.

4. Job prospects are good where the talent is valued and reasonable pay.

5. Quality of life is great.

There is more to India than the Taj - South.  

14. Parent lives in India, child lives in the U.S.

1. World-Class Education and Universities – for e.g., MIT, Stanford, Harvard. 

2. U.S. institution degrees globally recognized and respected by employers.

3. US system often offers a flexible curriculum where students can explore different courses before committing to a major (esp. for undergraduate studies).

4. A vast array of specialized and diverse programs are available across STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) and non-STEM fields.

5. Cutting-Edge Research and Technology: Access to advanced research facilities and significant funding for innovative projects.

6. Opportunities for students to participate in research and hands-on projects.

7. A degree from a US university provides an edge in the global job market.

8. Availability of internships and Optional Practical Training (OPT), which allows international students to gain valuable, paid work experience in their field after graduation (up to 3 years for STEM graduates-might have changed in Trump era).

9. A chance to build a strong professional and global network.

10. Multicultural Environment:  US is a melting pot of cultures. Here Indian students can interact with people from all over the world. This exposure helps develop global perspectives, adaptability, and intercultural communication skills.

To read all articles on Ideas and Policy

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