'Universities Abroad With High Number Of Indian Students Have Toxic Indian Patterns': Influencer's Remark Sparks Debate
Every year universities abroad invite students from all across the world and provide them with scholarships to cover their tuition fees and other expenses. Students in India are increasingly choosing foreign universities to pursue higher educational degrees as studying abroad has become more accessible for Indian students for various reasons.
As per the data of Ministry of External Affairs, currently, Indian students are studying in nearly 240 countries globally, with US, UK, Canada, and Australia being their top choices. The number of Indian students studying abroad has gone up from 4.5 lakh in 2017 to 5.86 lakh in 2019, over 7.5 lakh in 2022. The total spending by Indian students in US was around $47 billion in 2022 which is expected to be increased to $70 billion by 2025.
Amid the increasing number of students in universities abroad, a social media influencer Shreya Pattar”s post on X has created debate online over her remarks for universities with higher number of Indian students.
Any Indian student planning to move abroad for higher education should check how many Indian students that university has. The more the number of Indian students, the lower that university should be on your list of places to join.
A big Indian community of students doesn’t come…
— Shreya Pattar (@ShreyaPattar) May 12, 2024
Ms Pattar said, “Any Indian student planning to move abroad for higher education should check how many Indian students that university has. The more the number of Indian students, the lower that university should be on your list of places to join.”
Shreya Pattar further added that the universities with higher number of Indian students are not friendly enough and hinders the personal growth of students. She calls the environment of such universities as toxic. “A big Indian community of students doesn’t come with a “homely” feeling. It comes with toxic Indian patterns: Too much drama, lack of professionalism, no good role models, no leadership or responsibility towards juniors, self-centered behaviour, “group-ism”, back bitching, no seriousness towards the future.”
Pattar advised Indian students to be mindful when it comes to choosing universities abroad. “If you plan to move out of the country, make sure you are also staying away from that mindset, attitude, and nature of people.”, said her.
She advised students who are selecting universities based on comfort, not to go abroad instead remain in India. “You shouldn’t need such people around you to “feel at home”. And if you DO, then might as well just not move abroad,” Shreya Pattar added.
Since social media influencer shared the post, she received mixed reactions from the users. one user supported her by saying, “On point. What”s the point of going abroad if you only hang out with your own people.”
While another user opposed her post and shared, “I studied in a University @illinoistech in #Chicago that had a large #Indian population (not just the univ. even the city). It was very competitive and made me work more harder. You make the best of what you have. Looking back, those were some of my best times and I am grateful.”
