Trump effect: Students in a fix over higher education in US

J Ajeesh had always dreamt of going to the US to do his MS as soon as he finishes his engineering from a reputed college in the city. He had also listed down the colleges and had time set aside to prepare for Graduate Record Examinations that will give him a head start to get admission in the university of his choice. 

Everything was going fine until Trump happened. “It was like my worst nightmare coming true. I was wary about him being the President after his policy on the immigrants that directly point towards the thousands of students from different countries apply,” says Ajeesh, who Is doing his ECE. He further adds, “The murder of the techie in the US and the several other incidents of hate crimes has also made my parents paranoid and they are not willing to send me to the US.” 

Now the students are looking at other countries where they can pursue further studies. S Meenakashi, who wants to do her MBA abroad said, “It was my dream to go to the US and eventually find a job there. But given the current situation and the sword hanging over H1B visa, I am not sure. Now the only options people like me are left with are Canada, UK, New Zealand and Singapore,” she says. 

Education consultants also agree that there is a steep drop in the students wanting to go to the US. “Compared to last year, this year, we hardly find anyone enquiring about colleges in the US. Though there has been nothing official about working professionals and students, but people here do not want to take any risks. Studying abroad costs anything above Rs 25 lakhs and that’s a lot of money. Especially after demonetisation, people are not even thinking of risking that kind of money. In fact, the students are asking us where to go,” says Victoria D’sa Director of Global Education. 

Countries like Germany and Spain are being looked at for technical studies by those who plan to go abroad. An educational consultant, who didn’t want to be named said, “There are many colleges who come to the educational fairs here and sell the colleges to the students. India is one of their biggest businesses and they will not want to lose it. It’s not only bad for the students here with the options being trimmed but also for colleges and universities in the US.”