The US is a dream destination for many students aspiring to get a great global education. True, that currently the pandemic has put some of those aspirations on hold. Nevertheless, the US is still the place to be for international students – for more reasons than one.
We enlist them here.
Why choose the US:
Over 15 per cent of globally ranked universities are from the US, with over 150 of these universities being featured in QS World University Rankings® 2021 and THE World University Rankings 2021. This strong presence among the top ranked global universities gives the US a reputation for excellent high education system, with a large number of international students choosing US as its global ed destination.
Some of the top ranked universities in the US based on the two popular ranking platforms, QS and THE, are-
Most US universities have access to the latest technology, and provide cutting-edge resources to encourage innovation among the students.
The US is home to 14 best student cities as featured on the QS Best Student Cities 2019. The student cities are chosen based on university rankings, student diversity, employers’ recruitment/ employability, affordability, and desirability (based on livability and safety). With 13 cities featured in the top 100 student cities in the world, it shows how the US is an ideal place for students.
The top 10 best cities to study in the US based on the QS Best Student Cities 2019 are-
The education institutions in the US offers flexible study opportunities across its 4000 colleges and universities. Students are given the option to customise their degree based on their interest and career aspirations, i.e. students in their Bachelor’s degree can choose/declare their majors up till the end of the second year of the study. This gives them the space to explore their academic interest and choose that majors they are confident with.
Additionally, undergraduate students in the US can also opt to change/transfer university within and outside the country after the first or second year of study.
According to 2019 Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange, a total of 1,095,299 international students were studying in the US; out of this, 202,014 alone were from India. This makes the probability of ‘culture-shock’ considerably low as students will be exposed to different nationalities, ethnicity, and religion. This exposure to different cultural backgrounds is not only thrilling but also broadens the mind of the student.
The cultural diversity in the US will open up the mind to new ideas and perspectives, and make one more tolerant to other cultures. Such intangible benefit can only come from a country that hosts a diverse student community like the US.
Most importantly, this exposure to new language, culture and ethnicity will be an added bonus for your resume that will reflect your tolerance.
With the US among the leaders of technology and research, it is a popular global ed destination for students seeking STEM related programs. As per the 2019 Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange, 51.6 per cent of international students in the United States were pursuing STEM fields. The most popular STEM courses opted by international students in the US are:
Most universities in the US have internships programs and career services to give you the practical experience to go along with theoretical knowledge gained in the program. This hands-on experience prepares the student for the real job. In some cases, the internship opportunities can span into a career opportunity pots graduation.
Part-time jobs are also permitted for international students in the US where they are eligible to work on campus and/or off-campus after the first year of the study. Students are permitted to work 20 hours a week during session and 40 hours a week during off-session.
The US remains an attractive global ed destination for those seeking job opportunities after graduation. Under the Optional Practical Training (OPT), international students are allowed to work for 12 months after graduation. For STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) students, however, they can opt for the STEM OPT extension which is up to 24 months, i.e. a total of 36 months.
With all the above details, you can make an informed choice about making the US your global ed destination.
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