A large chunk of Nepalese students goes abroad to pursue their higher education. With the demand for abroad education increasing excessively, the supply for the same is also evident. Universities have started offering different kinds of student services like scholarships, job placements, and counseling, among others to allure international students into their institutions. If you make an observant generalization, it can be seen that most Nepalese students planning to go abroad prefer western countries like the United States of America, Canada, or Australia. However, the population of Nepalese students approaching to study in India is also on the rise. This is obviously not a coincidence that in a country where studying in a western country is a fashionable trend, people have started considering India as a strong contender as their prospective study destination as well. It is interesting to ponder upon why students prefer going to our neighboring country instead of a much more developed and facilitated West.
1. Cultural Resemblance
First and foremost, India is the one country whose culture is the most similar to that of Nepal. To add to that, a majority of Nepalese have also grown up friendly with the Bollywood movies and the language. We are all social beings who are a part of a specific culture. No matter where we go, we will always look for a place similar to our own culture. What better place than India, whose culture is so similar to our own? One of the reasons India might be appealing to Nepalese students for their higher education is the similarity in culture.
2. The Affordability Factor
Secondly, most of Nepalese who want to study abroad have a huge villain to defeat – money. For a middle-class Nepali family, the affordability factor is vital before making the decision to whether or not to send their children to study abroad. India is the perfect solution to this problem. Studying in India is relatively cheaper for a Nepali student than in any other western country.
3. Convenience in Travelling
Another factor that goes hand in hand with the affordability factor is the convenience of traveling. There is no visa requirement to travel to India, and you can travel by airplane or train, or even a bus (in some places). So, traveling back and forth is extremely convenient. Even the parents feel better sending their sons or daughters off to India to study because it is closer and they won’t be absolutely gone for many years during their study period. The students will be easily able to visit during important occasions such as festivals or other family emergencies, which is less likely if they study in Western countries.
4. Quality of Education
Along with all these factors, the fact that the quality of education in India is great is one of the major reasons behind the preference of Nepalese students to study in India. India is one of the most competitive countries when it comes to quality education. To add to that, admission is any Indian educational institution is relatively easier.
When you consider all these factors, it is quite evident why students are showing preference towards India for higher studies. For students from Nepal, India is a convenient destination to study, where they can be independent but also be close to home.
