On September 1, 2024, the US Embassy in India hosted an event at Wellham Girls’ School in Dehradun, Uttar Pradesh, aimed at presenting higher education opportunities for international students in the United States and elucidating the visa application process.
The event, organized by EducationUSA, saw participation from several US education counselors and visa officers. Pavan Rajgopal, a Visa Officer at the US Embassy, spoke to ANI about the initiative, emphasizing the embassy’s commitment to encouraging Indian students to pursue their education in the US. Rajgopal stated, “We really want to encourage Indian students to study in the United States. Last year, we approved 140,000 student visas for Indian students. That’s the most we’ve ever done here. It’s more than any other country in the world. And we think that the number of Indian students who will study for their undergraduate studies in particular in the US is only going to grow.”
The event was designed to provide students with comprehensive information to help them choose a school that aligns with their academic interests. Rajgopal added, “The US offers a very flexible course curriculum. There are many different kinds of universities, over 4,500 actually, that offer slots to international students. And I think that the students here have really appreciated the opportunity to study in a place that will give them professional experience and the development that they’ll need to succeed in today’s challenging job market.” He noted that the response from the students had been highly positive.
Aastha Virk Singh, a senior advisor at EducationUSA, elaborated on her agency’s role in assisting students with their applications to US universities. Singh emphasized that the event at Wellham provided valuable information about the entire process of studying in the US. She remarked, “At Wellham, students would be informed about the whole process of studying in the US. The response has been very good.” Singh highlighted that the information covered included details about available programs, scholarship applications, and the various components of the application process, as well as preparation tips for prospective students.
The event at Wellham Girls’ School served as a significant platform for students to gain insights into the opportunities available for higher education in the United States and to receive guidance on navigating the complexities of visa applications. The engagement from both the US Embassy and EducationUSA underscores a strong commitment to supporting Indian students in their academic pursuits abroad.
