Indian students in the United States have been surging as much as 5.4 percent over the last year to 1,96,271, according to the 2018 Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange, the US Embassy said in a press release, suggesting that nearly every fifth international student in American universities is an Indian.

Share Market Live

NSE

It is the fifth consecutive year wherein the number of Indian students pursuing their higher education in the US has increased and the number has doubled in the past 10 years, the statement read.

“Looking at the past 10 years of data, the number of Indians going to the United States has doubled. The reasons are clear: Indian students are looking for a great education and the United States continues to offer this,” Joseph Pomper, minister counselor for consular affairs said at the US-Indian Educational Foundation (USIEF) in New Delhi on Tuesday.

Indian students make up about 18 percent of all the international students in the US, surpassed only by China, providing the second highest number of graduate students and fourth-most undergraduates in the country, the statement said.

The US Embassy in New Delhi continues to see well qualified Indians applying for higher education in the United States, the statement said, adding that there had been a significant rise in Americans as well, up 12.5 percent more than the previous year or about 4,704 Americans choosing India as a destination for higher education.

“At USIEF, we believe that student exchange programs are one of the best ways to foster meaningful relationships and promote mutual understanding between American and Indian citizens,” Adam Grotsky, director, USIEF, said.

First Published:Nov 13, 2018 3:00 PM IST