Rupee fall hits students studying abroad
The depreciating rupee has no doubt cast a cascading effect on the economy but the worst-hit are Indian students studying abroad or those planning for higher studies in foreign universities as they have to shell out more money compared to what it was required a year ago.
As the rupee has weakened by about 20 per cent since the beginning of the calender year, overseas education costs have also gone up almost equivalently.
"The conditions have turned 'foreign education' a luxury affair, not something for the middle class to think as parents have to slog out a lot more money compared to earlier to get their children into good universities," says Neha Racch, senior counsellor at Apex Consultants.
The rupee coupled with a slowing global economy, strict visa norms and stringent immigration policies have made the prospects of overseas education more gloomy, she says.
"And the impact is quite visible as there has been about 20 per cent decline in the number of students applying for higher courses in the US, the UK and other countries," Rachh said.
The rupee has fallen by 20 per cent against the dollar since January and by as much as 24 per cent since last year.
Moreover, the steep depreciation has made the rupee a much weaker currency against some major currencies. The rupee has fallen by around 18 per cent against the Singapore dollar, 17 per cent against the Canadian dollar, about 16 per cent against the British pound and 13 per cent against the Australian dollar.
Rupee depreciation is
Be the first to comment.
