Studying in foreign countries is a trend among Indian students these days, owing to a variety of factors such as better pay in those countries, increased global exposure, networking opportunities, enhanced employability, and better scope for personal growth. Some of the top destinations chosen by Indian students include the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and countries in Europe.
Before delving deeper into the migration factors that encourage Indian students to migrate to these countries, it is crucial to investigate whether these factors are pulling or pushing. Now you might be wondering what the pulling and pushing factors are. Pulling factors, as the term implies, are those that encourage an individual to move abroad, such as a better education or more lucrative job offers. Conversely, pushing factors are those that compel an individual to migrate or those that make migration their final option. Discrimination, unemployment, poverty, and other driving forces are some examples.
Post-study work offers and opportunities for permanent residence, including lucrative job offers, are some of the driving forces that attract Indian students to move abroad to seek their education. Contrary to these factors, there are also push factors that make students desperate to move abroad, such as unemployment and increased competition for admission to colleges and universities in India. These factors are particularly prevalent in the case of MBBS students, as there is a shortage of medical seats in the country relative to the number of aspirants. This can lead medical students to move to other countries in search of medical seats, even though they are interested in studying in India. In addition to these facts, the large number of young people in India has also led to an increase in unemployment, which could potentially be a contributing factor.
While pull factors can be common among IT professionals and research scholars, push factors are more common among individuals who may not even have a good financial background. Some of these individuals view studying as a means to migrate to developed countries, which may not be the most advantageous option for them. Studying bachelors or masters in a foreign country requires a lot of money, which not everyone can afford. In addition to financial resources, it's important to consider the significant stress and mental health toll that come with studying abroad.
Gaining skills present in the targeted country's shortage list is crucial if you aim to secure employment and establish yourself there. It is evident that pursuing degrees that are outside the shortage list of your destination country may significantly reduce your chances of securing a suitable job. Before planning your migration, you must research the shortage lists for various countries. Don't make your decision to move out of your home country a disaster by making the wrong choices.