A Dream Deferred? Indian Student Safety Concerns in the US
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Are Indian students safe studying in the US? The recent spike in the number of killings of Indian students in the US has cast a shadow over the dreams of Indians looking to study abroad, especially in the US. This blog discusses the issue of student safety, the US response, and the future of Indian students in the US. It also provides tips for Indian students looking to study in the US.
While US universities gear up to welcome students for their Fall intake – the country has already recorded 11 student deaths for 2024. This alarmingly high figure not only questions the overall safety of Indian students in the US – past, present and future. But also throws into limbo the future of the study abroad industry.
The study abroad industry has taken much browbeating in the last couple of years. Whether it was the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine conflict or the targeted killing of Indian students abroad. However, time and again the study abroad industry has returned with equal jest. Read: The Future of IELTS, PTE, GRE & TOEFL exams in the face of COVID-19
Be it by introducing remote learning for candidates to pursue their courses abroad from the safety of their home without compromising on their post-study work benefits. Or European countries opening their universities to accommodate Indian students who had to quit their MBBS programme in Russia and Ukraine abruptly. Today Indian students looking to study abroad are faced with yet another challenge of targeted killings of Indian students in the US.
The United States of America (USA) continues to be the most sought-after study-abroad destination for Indians and international students looking to study abroad. The country is not only home to the largest number of top universities in the world, but also offers a multitude of popular programmes tailor-made for every student.
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- The Rise of Indian Students in the US
- US Student Visa
- US Response and Safety Initiatives
- Future of Indian Students
The Rise of Indian Students in the US
More Indian students than ever are choosing to study in the US. According to the Open Doors Report (ODR) the number of Indian students in the United States increased by 35 percent and resulted in an all-time high of 268,923 students in the academic year 2022-23. That is a huge jump, and it makes India the number one country sending students to the US for higher education. This trend is replicated at the undergraduate, graduate and OPT levels registering a growth of 16%, 62.6% and 1.3% respectively.
| 2021-22 | 2022-23 | % increase | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian international students in the United States | 199,182 | 268,923 | 35% |
| Undergraduate students | 27,545 | 31,954 | 16% |
| Graduate students | 102,024 | 165,936 | 62.6% |
| OPT | 68,188 | 69,062 | 1.3% |
Source: Open Doors Report Data
US Student Visa
US Student Visa offices in India have been busier than ever, especially during the peak application period (June-August 2023). They processed a record-breaking 95,269 US student visas in the F, M and J categories. That is a jump of 18% over 2022 during the same timeframe.
A tweet by Eric Garcetti, Ambassador of the United States of America to the Republic of India sealed the moment: “You did it, India! Each and every Indian student in the United States and the families supporting their success deserve recognition for this achievement. The decision to study abroad, and your choice of the United States, represents a valuable investment by you and your families. You are bringing our countries closer together and leading us towards a bright future. We celebrate the strength of the Indian educational system that prepares students to compete globally and look forward to seeing India continue to lead. We also look forward to balancing these record numbers. We want to see equal numbers of women pursuing studies in the United States and see more U.S. students coming to experience all that India has to offer.” |
US Response and Safety Initiatives
Now to come back to our initial question. Will the recent deaths of Indian students affect Indian student footfall in the country? There is a sense of growing fear among Indian students and scholars worldwide over the safety and security in the country, however, the United States is taking quick and effective steps to bring the situation under control.
- Joe Biden – the current President of the United States of America has already assured Indian students that the administration is working very hard to stop such attacks against Indian students.
- Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS) – a popular group has urged various agencies of the US government, universities and student associations to work towards addressing the spike in the deaths of Indian-origin students in the US in recent months.
- Security measures such as re-establishing safety education, improving search and rescue procedures, implementing stricter rules against fraternity ragging; increasing awareness of risks and safety, and providing mental health support are some of the recommendations forwarded by FIIDS.
- Increased collaboration between US universities and Indian embassies to develop safety protocols and support systems for Indian students has become the need of the hour.
- US Universities are required to modify their set Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) given the recent murders to combat such criminal activities. Immediate steps should include Community Building, Collaboration with Consulates, Mental Health Support, Orientation Programs, Safety Measures and Awareness
- Indian student associations in the US should also come together to create online and offline support networks for students to connect and share resources.
- Students are also required to be more alert, know their rights, stay connected with their families and seek support when things don’t look right. Pro Tip: Indian students looking to study in the US are advised to research safety resources offered by universities and the Indian embassy during the time of their US application process.
- Indra Nooyi former CEO, PepsiCo in a ten-minute long video urged Indian students in the US to remain watchful and do whatever it takes to remain safe, amid a string of tragedies. The entire video can be watched here: https://twitter.com/IndiainNewYork/status/1771001931684569271
Future of Indian Students
It is a known fact that Indians are the largest number of international students studying in the US accounting for about 25 per cent of total foreign students and bringing in USD 9 billion per year in terms of fees and expenses. An exorbitant amount that the US cannot bear to lose. Moreover, India and the US share a strong bilateral relationship with both heads of state visiting one another on multiple occasions.
While it is difficult to dethrone the US as the number one study-abroad destination. However, the UK, Ireland Australia and Germany are sure to become alternate destinations for Indian students looking to study if this trend is to continue. It is now for Indians to wait and watch as to how effective are the steps being taken by the US Department of State to bring an end to the chaos growing in their backyard.
Candidates looking for assistance with university admissions can get in touch with our Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors on our website. Readers wanting to add to the above discussion can write to us in the comments section below.
There is no minimum GPA score for UG admission at Ohio State. However, International students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale or equivalent) for graduate admission. Applicants may submit a standardized test score (GRE or GMAT) if their cumulative GPA is below 3.0 for the last degree.
According to various sources, University of Texas San Antonio has an overall acceptance rate of around 87% which makes it somewhat selective for international student admissions. Some of the general requirements to be considered for admission are given as follows:
- SAT/ACT scores
- Overall Student's GPA
- Letters of Recommendation
- High School Class Rank
- Additional Academic Records
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The University of South Dakota expects a GPA score of 2.5 from undergraduates and 3 from postgraduates on the 4-pointer scale. Along with the GPA scores, undergraduates must meet the basic eligibility and submit an ACT score of 21 or higher and an SAT score of 1070 or higher. In addition, they must submit the required documents, such as academic history, transcripts, letters of recommendation, English language scores, and more.