Host of institutes in Pune open up options for students who wish to migrate to US, Europe

Study in the USA

The third of the eight university fairs organised by EducationUSA was held in Pune on Monday. It brought together representatives from over 30 prestigious US universities to interact directly with Indian students about the prospects and process of applying and studying in the United States.

EducationUSA is the official US government-supported-network of advising centres present in 170 countries to provide authentic and latest information about education prospects in the country. They provide free guidance right from selecting universities to finding ways of financing the studies and preparation for visa interviews.

“The USA is very welcoming of Indian students and are looking to see more pursuing higher education in the United States,” said Sita Raiter, public diplomacy officer of the US Consulate General Mumbai who was present at the event.

“In terms of numbers, currently there are 200,000 Indian students studying in the USA. In 2022, the US mission to India issued 125,000 student visas to Indian students, which was a record. We are trying to help more students know about studying in the US and how to pursue it in a way that adds lifelong benefit in their overall career,” Raiter explained.

The public diplomacy officer stated that while traditionally over 85 per cent Indian students enrol in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Medicine) courses, the advisors and universities are trying to shed light on some of the lesser-known courses in humanities and liberal arts.

The EducationUSA-India mobile application is a great place for students to start exploring this option, said EducationUSA adviser Aditi Lele.

“The application process is daunting but we have broken it down into five simple steps,” she explained.

“The first step is researching your options, second is financing aspect. The third step will be the components of the application. The fourth is applying for the student visa and finally, departing for the USA. It is important to do your homework and rely only on official sources of information,” Lele said.

There are over 4000 accredited universities in the US so it is important to pick universities which are accredited. “We had a tremendous response from the students and students from as far as Latur, Aurangabad and Baramati attended the fair and learned about the opportunities and process for studying in the USA,” said Lele said.

So it is not just cities like Mumbai and Pune but also tier-2 and tier-3 cities from where students can consider the option of studying abroad, she said.

Special focus on students from rural, tribal backgrounds

Another path-breaking initiative is making education in the most reputed institutes a reality for students from rural areas, tribal backgrounds and historically disadvantaged groups.

Eklavya Foundation has been conducting intensive mentorship sessions and has built a network of support for first-generation learners, especially from nomadic and other tribal regions in Maharashtra, with little to no access to information about such global opportunities.

Out of a batch of 60 that enrolled in their flagship Global Scholars Program last year, 17 first-generation learners are now preparing to leave for the United States, United Kingdom and Europe fully supported by reputed Chevening and Erasmus scholarships worth a total of Rs 7.5 crore.

Eklavya Foundation organised a five-day residential bootcamp for their Global Scholars Program in Nagpur this week and will be conducting another one for Indian universities in Beed starting on September 1. Their flagship Global Scholars Program 2.0 has just started.

Immigration to Germany

Goethe Institut is now providing free guidance to those who want to immigrate to Germany for skill-based education, work or to reunite with family there. This comes within two days of a university fair being organised in the city by EducationUSA for students who might be interested in studying in the United States of America.

The Goethe-Institut, a non-profit German association that promotes the study of the German language abroad and encourages international cultural exchange and relations, will be providing guidance to Indians who want to immigrate to Germany. This will help make the process of transition and integration into a new country simpler.

Interested individuals can register with the Goethe Institut or Max Mueller Bhavan Pune for the service and they will be counselled on topics such as working in Germany, visa processes, education for children, employment opportunities, cultural know-how, language and examination support, and so on.

Apart from online video and print material, Goethe Institut will hold seminars, information events, workshops and intercultural training sessions. Guidance will also be provided through in-person meetings, online, by phone, and by email.