Results for: Indian Students

Four Indian medical students, two males and two females aged 18-20, tragically drowned while attempting to rescue a fellow student who had gotten into trouble in the Volkhov River near St Petersburg, Russia. The incident occurred on the beach of the river, where the female student had stepped into the water and encountered difficulties. Her four companions bravely tried to save her, but three of them also drowned. Fortunately, a third male student was rescued by locals. The Indian Embassy in Moscow and the Consulate General of India in St Petersburg are working tirelessly to send the bodies of the deceased students to their families as soon as possible. Both the Embassy and the Consulate have expressed their deepest condolences to the bereaved families and assured them of all possible assistance.

Indian students continue to be the largest recipients of US student visas, accounting for over a quarter of all international students in the United States. To meet the increasing demand, the US Embassy started student visa appointments earlier this year. Applicants are advised to prepare thoroughly and provide necessary documents, including proof of financial stability and academic qualifications. Despite a few visa denials due to insufficient proof of intent to return to India or incomplete documentation, the majority of Indian students receive visas on their first attempt. The US government prioritizes student safety and condemns the recent tragic deaths of Indian students, but there is no evidence of a pattern or connection between these incidents.

In a heart-wrenching incident, three young Indian students lost their lives in a devastating car accident in Alpharetta, Georgia. The victims, identified as Aryan Joshi, Sriya Avasarala, and Anvi Sharma, were 18 years old and pursuing their academic dreams in the United States. The crash, which occurred on Monday, also left two other students critically injured. The Alpharetta High School graduate, Aryan Joshi, was preparing for college, while Sriya Avasarala and Anvi Sharma were pursuing their freshman year at the University of Georgia.

The Indian embassy in Kyrgyzstan has advised Indian students to stay indoors amid mob violence targeting international students in the capital city of Bishkek. The situation is currently calm, but students are advised to remain indoors and contact the embassy if they experience any issues.

Hundreds of Indian students in Prince Edward Island (PEI), Canada, have been protesting against the Canadian government’s new immigration policy that denies them work permits despite graduating. The students allege that they were given false hopes and are now facing deportation due to the sudden policy change. They are demanding an extension of work permits and a review of the policy, threatening a hunger strike if their demands are not met.

Hundreds of Indian students in Canada’s Prince Edward Island (PEI) region are protesting against a new law that restricts postgraduate work permits to students with specific qualifications, leaving many international students unable to continue working in Canada. They allege that the policy was changed overnight, and they are now facing deportation. The students are demanding an extension of work permits and a review of the recent changes to immigration policies. They have set a deadline for action, threatening a hunger strike if their demands aren’t met by mid-May.

Indian students are shunning Canadian universities due to reduced international student quotas, housing shortages, and job scarcity. Applications from India have plunged by 40-45% this year, and students are opting for alternative destinations like the US and Australia. Universities, such as the University of Toronto, have witnessed a significant 40% decline in Indian applications, prompting outreach efforts to allay uncertainties. The Canadian government’s cap on international student intake and stricter visa rules have exacerbated the situation, leading thousands of students to reconsider their plans.

Relief for Indian students planning to study in the UK! The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has recommended continuing the graduate route work visa, known as the PSW (post-study work visa). This visa allows international students to work in the UK for two years after graduating from a British university. The review, commissioned by Home Secretary James Cleverly, found that the graduate route is achieving its objectives and supporting the UK’s International Education Strategy. It has played a significant role in attracting international students, with the target of six lakh students by 2030 being met ahead of schedule. While the contribution of the graduate route to this achievement is not quantified, its positive impact is acknowledged. The committee found no evidence of widespread abuse of the graduate route due to its stringent conditions. However, concerns were raised regarding exploitation by agents mis-selling UK higher education. Indian students heavily utilize the graduate route, with over 45,600 visas granted in 2023, accounting for 40%. The report highlights that graduate visa holders initially engage in lower-paid work but experience improved outcomes over time. Their earnings become comparable to domestic graduates after one year, and around 50% transition to skilled work through the Skilled Worker visa route.

The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) is set to release its review of post-study work (PSW) visas on May 14, and there are speculations that the sought-after visa, which allows international students in the UK to work across sectors for two years, may be discontinued. The PSW visa is a major incentive for Indian students pursuing higher education in the UK, and its axing could have far-reaching consequences. This is part of the UK government’s broader plan to reduce immigration, which has also seen the phasing out of dependent visas for students and restrictions on migrant care workers bringing their families to the country.

The recently released TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) 2023 report provides valuable insights into the performance of Indian candidates. Dehradun emerged as the city with the highest average score, followed by Guntur, Mysuru, and Delhi. Computing and information technology (IT) remained the most popular major among TOEFL takers, followed by engineering and management. New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad were among the top cities in terms of the number of candidates taking the TOEFL iBT test. Among the four sections of the test, writing was identified as the most practiced skill. Notably, India and China accounted for 40.81% of all test takers, indicating an increase of nearly 10% compared to the previous year.