IMPACT OF RECESSION AND STUDY ABROAD VIA INDIA

While the students are planning for their destination abroad at this time of the year, recession hit countries are waiting to see foreign students enrol in their colleges or universities. This simply indicates that the institutes are waiting to see the impact of recession in educational fields. Unlike last year the youngsters going abroad on student visa was touching the sky in countries like USA, UK, Canada and Australia. Till last year the number of students going to Australia was around 97,000 from India and UK also issued around 30,000 student visas. India became leading nation from where the maximum number of students enrolled in colleges and universities with a record of 94,563 students in USA during 07-08.

But after recession, the Australians are experiencing a slump in the study abroad enrolment this year with around 14.9% decrease in US cases between October 2008 to January 2009. However, as it has been observed that it is too early to predict whether there will be an overall fall this year for foreign student’s applications. As it is observed that because of recession there has been a cut in the scholarships and financial aids provided to foreign students which makes it less alluring for them to apply. However, the whole picture whether recession is behind the study abroad plans of students would be clearer between April and July this year when it is the peak time of students applying for visas.

Canadian Minister for Immigration, Jason Kenney who was recently in India, acknowledging the impact on students said, “We will be actively promoting our colleges in India. Among the advantages that Canada offers to Indian students is the fact that they get on the fast track to the job market and permanent residence. Joining the campaign to allure more foreign students, Britain has also launched a new visa category for students called the Tier 4 for foreign students. “Most education agents feel that the new system will be well received. The one year Masters programme in the UK is value for money and helps Indian students enter the job market quickly. There are scholarships under the UK-India Education & Research initiative also makes the UK an attractive destination”, said Sally Goggin, first secretary Education, at the British Council.

Whereas other countries like New Zealand and France are hoping that the impact of recession would be positive other than negative on education market. The point system of NZ gives extra points to students who graduate from their universities to get the permanent residentship as well as jobs. Whereas France has now started a system where students can stay back for 6 more months and look for a job. Bigger countries like Australia are trying to attract Indian students by launching expensive campaigns work 3.5 million $. “Australia is still an attractive campus destination and not one of the countries which are worst hit by recession. The financial sector is still stable and still provide employment to people,” was said by Anthony Pollock, Chief executive and managing director of IDP education Pvt Ltd
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