New Delhi: Subhas Devatwal, who called distressed students and panicked parents, runs an education consultancy in Ahmedabad. They all have one question: whether studying in the United States is still possible. Last year, there were almost 330,000 Indians enrolled at American universities, more than any other nationality, even surpassing Chinese students for the first time in years. Families in India invest their entire lifetime savings to get their children enrolled in universities in the United States; as it is, most of it is a part of the American dream symbol of success.
Donald Trump’s administration has targeted international students, and the numbers have weakened. Devatwal’s organization used to send more than 100 students in previous years, but it has now dropped to about 10.
This administration has implemented social media vetting for all international students and subsequently paused all student visa interviews globally, leaving many students in a state of uncertainty.
Many Indian students are in shock because most of them have spent several years preparing to study in the United States. Devatwal, their clients, are unsure if they should pursue a US degree due to the turmoil associated with the Trump administration. Indian students can expect to pay between $40,000 to $80,000 a year in tuition alone to study in the United States.
If we discuss Germany, this is the leading country where students are shifting to STEM subjects, he stated. Other countries, such as Ireland, France, and the Netherlands, are also showing substantial interest in the students. At the undergraduate level, the Middle East has also seen a significant increase in interest, as parents feel that it is a more accessible and safer option. Given the current political environment, they may want their kids closer to home.
