Study in India: A Guide for International Students

India is vast in every sense of the word. From its population of more than one billion, to its expansive cities, to its wide-open, seemingly-endless countryside, India certainly earns its subcontinent status. India is home to dozens of communities, languages and several religions. It is also home to some of the most beautiful buildings in the world, like the Taj Mahal and the Golden Temple. 

India became independent from the UK in 1948, due to the strength of the movement started by Mahatma Gandhi. Today, India is a major power in Asia and is on its way to becoming a world power, like China or Germany. Politically, India is a bridge between east and west, as it maintains warm relations with Russia, China and the US alike. 

India - Quick facts & figures

It’s also India’s colonial past that ensures that English is widespread. English holds official status alongside Hindi. Most Indians speak these two languages, as well as one or more of the plethora of regional and minority languages in the country, like Punjabi, Gujarati and Bengali.

What makes India such a fascinating place to study abroad is that it’s a country on the up. Major technological advances are being made seemingly every day in India, yet it’s still a developing country with a lot of poverty and social issues. As India becomes wealthier and more powerful, its middle class is growing and its rates of poverty, illiteracy and early mortality are declining. Life expectancy is also quickly rising. 

As a study abroad destination in Asia, India ranks high on experiencing a new culture or lifestyle. One thing for which India is best known across the world is also one of the major draws for international students: the food. As the world has become more and more interconnected, curries, naans, poppadums and sugar puddings have spread around the world – and have come to be adored by billions of people. There is also India’s national dress. Its vivid colors and patterns capture our imaginations. Of course, India also has rich, fascinating stories, from the origin stories of the Hindu gods through to traditional folktales and legends, Indian stories have more than enough to keep you enthralled for hours at a time.