Has the American dream turned sour? Donald Trump’s anti-immigration policies have left many anxious, questioning whether picking the United States is a good option, on the back of anti-Indian sentiment growing in the country.
But has the narrative impacted the number of Indian MBA graduates considering the US? A recent LinkedIn post founder of a pre-seed fund that invests in Indian startups, suggesting the same, has gone viral.
Viral Post
The post by Aviral Bhatnagar, Investing in startups at ajuniorvc.com, reads – “Spoke to one of my IIM A professors who is also a chairperson. He was upbeat about students this year, saying that many US MBA aspirants are choosing to study in India due to immigration chaos. Fascinating that the on-ground impact is almost immediate, talent is staying back.”
The post sparked a flurry of conflicting reactions.
“This isn’t accurate,” says Akshay Chaturvedi, Founder & CEO of Leverage, Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam Group.
Akshay believes that the Trump administration’s current immigration policies are slowing down the interest level, but Indian students are not completely closing the door on US education.
“Those who want to go to the US are delaying by a year, and are ok to wait. The US higher education ambition is very specific, and is harboured (mostly) collectively by families over a long period. Switching it off just like that doesn’t quite happen, hence,” write Akshay.
Akshay predicts, “It will take time, but US higher education will come back in a big way. A lot of this current pent-up demand will mean that students will apply for PG programs that require some work experience, and use this time getting ready for it.”
Is the US losing appeal?
Some other comments also expressed optimism about Indian MBA aspirants’ current decision-making process, while others remained skeptical.
Those commenting on the post were mostly from the fields connected to education abroad, either as investors, HR Staffing or mentors.
One wrote – Interesting shift! While someone commented, “Give it another year or so. But the Great Indian (American) dream is here to stay!”
Another commented on how students are strategizing their moves now. “Students are opting for innovative options like doing some part in India through Transnational Education (TNE) models. Those who want to go to the US will eventually go, it’s just a matter of when.”
The current scenario of India’s job market was also commented upon.
“It remains to be seen if students studying in India with tax-funded institutions may decide to migrate to greener pastures or stay and contribute to the economy after global conditions ease. Just the other day, there was news about India-Corporate struggling to absorb top-tier talent, highlighting the complexity of the truth beyond what is commonly perceived. This one just felt like a half-truth.”
Someone said three trends are emerging in MBA applicants, fear and sour outlook leading to India as a preference for MBA applicants; Those who can pay are taking the risk as they are aware of the competition in the years ahead; Some US-interested individuals are also exploring the EU, often due to a desire to leave the country for a new career path.
Others shared the experiences of students currently in the US. “Many students in their final semester are relocating to India for full-time jobs, citing economic turbulence in the US,” said one of them.
One of the members commented, Top talent sees global MBAs as a gateway to networks, capital, and opportunities India cannot yet match. A few US rejects or immigration-frustrated folks trickling into IIMs doesn’t mean there’s a massive reverse shift happening.