Indian alumni of American universities had a fun-filled time with the city school and college students on Tuesday. It was the first of its kind initiative of the US Consulate General, Kolkata, managing eastern India. Four out of the seven US students belonged to Jharkhand. They denoted the local students ‘career-oriented’ and ‘confident’.
Mahvish Rehman of Jamshedpur who went for one year non-degree programme at Pennsylvania during her under-graduation at Jamia Millia University is presently working as central government’s Field Publicity Officer at Gumla. She has been interacting with the local college students over a year. “Today I interacted with the school students. Their access to information is appreciable. They know what to opt till doctorate,” she said.
Similarly, Mohammed Najmuzamman of Ghatotand in Ramgarh district who dropped a year in school due to his selection in Kennedy lugar Youth Exchange and Study Programme in 2008 said, “Online facilities have broaden the horizon of Indian students. I am impressed with the questions raised by Ranchi school students.”
The alumni claimed US based exchange programmes a golden opportunity to groom overall personality. For many, it is the main reason of being selected in any education or job interview.
Dhanbad’s Benazir Manzar, who had gone United States for a semester under the NESA Undergraduate Exchange Programme 2007 said, “I got lessons for a lifetime. The college fraternity was always available for support. I met several students of Middle-East and understood that we all are similar in many ways. Our lifestyle differentiates us.”
According to India Director of Education in USA, Ishrad Jahan, around 102 thousand students of India are pursuing studies in the foreign country. 60 per cent among these students are graduates.
“Detail information on the process of applying and required formalities for US courses through US consulate websites and social sites has made it easy for students of other nations to study in US. A secured atmosphere is another reason,” American Center Kolkata Director Joanne Joria pointed out.
With the aim of encouraging young students to pursue higher education in the United States, the Education USA Alumni Roadshow is travelling to four cities – Guwahati, Kolkata, Ranchi and Patna from November 4 to December 9. After a successful run in Guwahati and Kolkata, the Roadshow took place in the state capital.
The US Consulate Kolkata hopes to forge a long-term relationship with US State Department Exchange alumni from east and northeast India who have attended various exchange programmes such as Study of the US Institute for Scholars (SUSI), Community College Initiative Program (CCI), Youth Exchange and Study (YES) and Near East and South Asia Undergraduate Exchange Program (NESA UGRAD).