US goes off students’ radar as rupee slides against dollar

CHANDIGARH: Amandeep Singh, who has just completed his engineering from a private college in Landran, was all set to seek admission in US for his masters. Following the slide in rupee value vis-a-vis the dollar, his destination has changed to China. Though China and Turkey are the new destinations which have caught the attention of students, Canada, New Zealand and Australia are still the favourites.

Aman Manchanda, an overseas education consultant based in the city said, “The dollar rate has increased in these countries too. But students have lost their craze for the US with slump in market there and difficulty in obtaining permanent residency (PR). In Canada, Australia and New Zealand PR comes after a year.” Thus instead of looking for greener pastures in the US, those interested in an offshore education tag are either looking for domestic market or countries which are offering incentives like tuition fee waiver and an early PR. Dr Vishal, orthopedic surgeon in PGI, said, “For practicing medicine in the US one needs to clear an entrance exam which used to cost some Rs 3.5 lakh. But with the rupee sliding down, the cost would now rise to Rs 5 -6 lakh. Thus it’s not feasible anymore and it seems that there are better options back home after completion of MD/MS.”

For those coming from north India, including Chandigarh and Punjab, Canada has not lost its sheen. Akriti Sharma, a pass out from MCM College, said, “The best part about Canada is that the PR comes within a year. Plus work permit can be attained and I have relatives there for support too, unlike in Singapore where foreign students cannot get employment at all.” Turkey is offering a wide range of scholarships to woo students. “Europe and US are almost out of reach for students. Whereas Turkey taking advantage of the rupee fall has started offering 75% waiver in tuition fees for Indian students. This is an emerging destination and we are giving this as an option to those who want a foreign tag,” said Manoj Kalra, a Panchkula-based immigration consultant.

Changing Tack

With the sliding rupee value, my chances of studying abroad seem bleak now. I hope by the time I graduate, this crisis ends

Nakshita Arora | BA-II, MCM-DAV College

Initially, I had planned on getting a loan to fund my education abroad and pay it off myself without putting pressure on my parents. But now this too seems like a tough call

Kalika Mehra | Ist year NIFD Mohali

My plans of studying abroad may not work out now but it has made me more committed to getting into the best university in India

Melvin Thomas | IIIrd year PEC

I have already started working on finding government-sponsored scholarships for my further studies abroad as it has become unthinkable to pay all of the fee without taking help

Debsourab Ghosh | Ist year DAV-10

via US goes off students’ radar as rupee slides against dollar – The Times of India.