The American Dream has always attracted students from developing countries and Chinese students have always dominated the international student population at American universities.
However, recent data indicate a significant change in this trend. According to the US Department of State and the Institute of International Education, for the first time since 2009, Indian students have overtaken Chinese students as the largest group of international students in US higher education.
India had 29% of international students, but China was still a major source, accounting for almost one-quarter of international students.
It is worth noting that 40% of Indians are under the age of 25, which is promising for the country’s economy compared to China, where the population has just started aging.
According to a CNN report, experts attribute this decline to a significant change in both policy and public perception. Many Chinese students and families are concerned about safety, racism, and discrimination in the United States. The COVID-19 pandemic has also heightened these concerns, with a rise in anti-Asian hate crimes and racism.
The deterioration in US-China relations has also contributed to the decline. Trump administration policies, including canceling the Fulbright exchange program with China and banning graduate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) students from many Chinese universities, have made it difficult for Chinese students to secure visas. ,
The decline in the number of Chinese students in America does not mean that interest in foreign education has diminished there. Instead, students and parents are looking for alternative options. Countries such as Canada, the UK, and Australia have introduced more immigration-friendly policies, making them attractive alternatives to the US.
India’s growing population and increasing demand for higher education have contributed to the increase in the number of Indian students in the US. With more than 331,600 Indian students in the US in the last academic year, India has become the largest source of international students in US higher education.
For some Chinese students, an American education is losing its appeal. With improving educational quality in China and growing concerns about safety and racism in the US, some students are choosing to remain in China or seek alternative destinations.
