How to study in the US without paying consultants

“Good things happen when you have people to people exchange. Last year, we had 200,000 indian students in US universities and colleges. Last year, India became the No 1 country sending students to the US,” said Berbena, a senior career diplomat with over three decades in foreign affairs.

To help students navigate the process of studying in the US, a series of EducationUSA fairs are being held across India. One such fair, featuring over 125 American institutions, will take place in Delhi on Sunday. Advisers will be on hand to explain the application process, visa timelines, and typical costs, and to emphasise that students do not need to rely on agents or intermediaries.

The minister emphasised that EducationUSA, a US State Department-funded advisory service, is encouraging Indian students to explore beyond the well-known schools. “There are many lesser-known but excellent state-level colleges that are also more affordable. We have over 4,500 higher education institutions that offer excellent accredited degree programmes,” said Berbena.

She highlighted the role of trained advisers who provide free services to students by assessing their scores, areas of interest, financial resources, and goals to help them find the right school. “They also assist them with their application and visa forms, free of charge,” the minister added.

Gloria Berbena, the US minister counsellor for Public Diplomacy.

EducationUSA offers free guidance to students, helping them choose the right institutions based on their interests, financial resources, and future ambitions.

Berbena also addressed the challenges posed by the post-COVID surge in visa demand, which put significant pressure on the system. However, she assured that the US has prioritised student visas, with wait times dropping across the board. The US recently opened a new consulate in Hyderabad and plans to open two more in Bengaluru and Ahmedabad to further streamline the process.

Berbena said the wait time for visas fluctuates according to demand and the consulate where the application is submitted. “The wait period in Hyderabad, for instance, is lower,” she said.

Berbena was in Chandigarh to launch a fellowship programme at Chandigarh University. Sponsored by the US State Department and implemented by Georgetown University, the programme places Fellows in higher education institutions worldwide to work in various fields. In this case, the Fellow will focus on communication skills at Chandigarh University for a period of 10 months.