(As Prepared)
Introduction
Good morning and welcome to the U.S. Embassy. I am pleased to have you here for our Student Visa Day celebration. Today, all five of our posts throughout India – Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai – are hosting special events dedicated to Indian students who plan to study in the United States.
We are celebrating Indian students who are not only taking an exciting next step in their higher education, but who are also furthering the strong people-to-people ties between our two countries. As these students develop professional relationships and lasting friendships, and participate in our alumni communities, they ensure a lifelong engagement that connects India and the United States in a very meaningful way.
U.S.-India Relations
Higher education plays a central role in the U.S.-India relationship. One out of every six international students in the United States is from India. Only two years ago, 100,000 Indian students pursued higher education in the United States. Today, that’s up to 166,000! And this number continues to grow.
EducationUSA
With over 4,500 accredited colleges and universities, the United States offers a best-in-class education, and our partners at EducationUSA work to make a U.S. education more accessible to Indian students.
EducationUSA prepares students for academic life in the United States by providing assistance with a variety of topics at their seven advising centers. Whether helping students find a school that is their “perfect fit,” or advising on how to submit competitive applications, EducationUSA serves as an indispensable source of accurate and timely information for students throughout India.
Consular Outreach
Our Consular Officers in India are a dedicated bunch. They travel to schools and student fairs to inform the public about student visas, highlighting the ease and transparency of the application process. Our Consular Officers also provide information via our social media platforms, where they answer visa queries and attempt to dispel visa myths.
Studying in the United States
The United States offers a warm welcome to all international students. When students from different countries and cultures study together, great things happen – new ideas are exchanged, stereotypes are dissolved, fast friendships are formed. Students like you will make invaluable connections that last a lifetime and strengthen the ties between our nations.
Now I would like to introduce the students here with us today who have decided to pursue higher education in the United States.
- CHANGAM MEENAKSHI RAJAGOPAL
Ms. Rajagopal is entering a PhD program in Astrophysics at Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina.
- KARAN RAINA
Mr. Raina will be studying for an MS in Quantitative Finance at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
- ARUNIMA SHARMA
Ms. Sharma will enter an MS Management Sciences program at Columbia University in New York City, New York.
- ASHMITA GHOSH
Ms. Ghosh will begin a Bachelor’s program in Psychology at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, South Dakota.
Congratulations to you and the many other students who have been accepted to U.S. universities. I’m happy to present your approved U.S. student visas. Good luck and thank you for the role you play in strengthening U.S.-India dosti!
