The historical data from Redseer indicates a significant shift in the choices of Indian students pursuing education abroad. While the US, UK, Canada, and Australia & New Zealand were once the primary destinations, recent challenges such as visa restrictions, limited opportunities, and high costs have prompted young Indians to look towards unconventional study destinations. Factors like Brexit-triggered economic challenges in the UK, accommodation crises in Canada, and limited employment opportunities in the US have contributed to this change in preferences.
India's growing interest in international education and migration opportunities is reflected in the increasing number of Indian students studying abroad, which has jumped to nearly 1.5 million since 2012. As popular study destinations like Canada, Australia, and New Zealand face changes in visa regulations, alternatives in Europe and Asia have emerged as attractive options. Countries like Ireland, the Netherlands, Finland, Singapore, and South Korea are gaining popularity among Indian students due to their lower costs, favorable policies, and promising job prospects.
Shalini Lambah, Chief Executive at Migrate World, mentioned the shift towards these alternative destinations, emphasizing that countries in Europe and Asia are becoming highly attractive to Indian talent. The European Union's encouragement of legal migration to address labor shortages and boost economic growth has also played a role in redirecting Indian students to new study hubs. Lambah highlighted that the changing landscape has led students to explore residency options in countries like Portugal and Ireland to overcome the limited acceptance rates and employment restrictions in popular destinations.
The appeal of alternative study destinations lies in their diverse offerings in various fields such as hotel management in Portugal, hospitality in Switzerland, AI and technology in Japan, fashion in South Korea, and luxury brands in France. The shift in preferences is not only driven by the challenges in traditional study destinations but also by the desire for fewer restrictions and more certainty in career prospects. Projections suggest a significant increase in the number of Indian students pursuing international education, with estimates pointing towards a compelling Compound Annual Growth Rate by 2027. The changing trends in study abroad choices are indicative of a dynamic shift towards new horizons for Indian students seeking diverse educational experiences and promising career opportunities.