International Students Top One Million For First Time US News

Among other Open Doors’ findings:

• The US institutions drawing the most international students were New York University (15,543), University of Southern California (13,340), Arizona State University (12,751), Columbia University (12,740) and the University of Illinois at Urban-Campaign (12,085).
• China remains the top country of origin, with almost twice the number of students in the US as India, but India’s rate of growth outpaced China’s. Enrollments from India grew 24.9%, to 165,918 students.
• Most of India's growth occurred at the graduate level, and particularly via participation in a programme known as optional practical training or OPT, which allows foreign students to work in the United States after earning their degree.
• OPT enrollments increased 22.6% last year, while undergraduate and graduate enrollments each increased 7.1% and 6.0%, respectively. A federal rule this year lengthened the extension for OPT students in the STEM – science, technology, engineering and mathematics – fields from 17 to 24 months, and enables students to apply for an extension twice during their academic career.
• Saudi Arabia sent the third-largest number of students, 61,287, to the United States, followed by South Korea, which dropped to fourth place following a 4.2% drop in enrollments, to 61,007.
• Europe continues to host more than half of all US students going abroad, with about a third of all US students choosing the United Kingdom, Italy or Spain in the 2014-15 academic year.
• The Ebola crisis likely deterred US students from traveling to Sub-Saharan Africa; that region saw a 20% drop.
• An 18.2% drop in US enrollments from Brazil was the most dramatic decline, and was attributed primarily to the Brazilian government’s freeze on the budget of its Scientific Mobility Program, which had sponsored many Brazilian students’ US studies.

How Indian Students Abroad Can Get The Indian Notes Exchanged

Right now, the most discussed topic in India is the demonetization of Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000 notes by the Indian govt. The announcement was made suddenly last evening by the Indian PM Narendra Modi informing the citizens about the recall of the currency notes. This led to a lot of panic and confusion among the people who are scrambling to exchange their notes.

·         The situation is even more confusing for Indian students who are currently studying abroad. Many students going abroad usually carry a few Indian currency notes with them. If you are one of them, what can you do if you are not going to visit India before 31^st March 2017?

·         Those of you who have cash on hand but will not be returning before your academic session is over can convert up to Rs. 5000 to foreign currency at the airport exchange counters within 72 hours of the announcement. However, you will have to provide proof of purchasing the specified bank notes.

·         You can get the foreign currency changed into Indian rupees again once you return to India, but it is likely that you will lose money during the exchanges.

·         On the other hand, if you have cash money in India, you can authorize someone living in India to exchange the notes on your behalf by writing an authorization letter to get the notes deposited into your bank account. The authorized person will then go to the bank with an identity card and the permission letter you wrote. 

Things to keep in mind :-

·      All banks will remain closed to public on 9th November 2016.

·         All ATM will not function on 9th and 10th November 2016.

·         Deposit the notes at banks or post offices from 10th November to 30th December.

·         Exchange the notes at a bank or post office till 24th November up to the limit of Rs. 4000.

·         While exchanging the notes, take along your Adhaar Card and PAN card.

·         After 30^th December, the notes can be exchanged only at RBI specified offices.