As diplomatic relations between India and Canada face a challenging phase, prospective students eyeing North America for their higher education may soon reconsider their options. As per a TOI report, experts caution that safety concerns, coupled with potential hate crimes in Canada, could influence students' decisions. They advise caution while emphasizing that there are plenty of alternative educational opportunities, both within India and in other countries.
The fear of a shift in students' preferences from Canada to other nations for higher education is becoming palpable, echoing past trends witnessed with the US and Australia following reports of racial attacks against Indians. While the shift is currently in its infancy, some students with offers are already seeking advice on deferments and exploring alternative choices.
Akanksha Vora, a student enrolled at Seneca College in Toronto, shared her apprehensions, saying, "There is a lot of uncertainty. My parents and family are worried. I am also waiting for some advice from my college, but I have started taking classes online for now."
Similarly, Affan Suhail, an MBA aspirant set to begin in Fall 2023, expressed his concerns, "My application and visa process is complete, but the recent developments have confused us. I am investing Canadian dollar 30,000 for my education, and the conflict has put my family's earnings at risk. I'll either defer to a later intake or switch to the US."
J K Verma, a concerned parent, added, "My daughter's original preference was Canada for a Luxury Management Program. We had selected HEC Montreal and Royal Roads University, but are now planning to switch to France. PSB Paris School of Business and College De Paris are the new options from France."
Vaibhav Gupta, co-founder and chief marketing officer of iSchoolConnect, noted a growing trend, stating, "We have started getting calls from prospects planning to go to Canada to specifically ask for additional countries as part of their shortlisting. The two major preferences are the US and the UK. Australia is third in number, with France, Germany, and Ireland more or less at the same position."
Ravi Veeravalli, principal consultant with Star Global Education Alliance, acknowledged students' concerns, saying, "A lot of students are on tenterhooks. I won't say there is a security threat to them as of now, but students are feeling the stress over concerns of backlash."
Even educational counselors are fielding calls from parents whose children are already in Canada. Pervin Malhorta, career counselor and founder of Career Guidance India (CARING), remarked, "There is a lot of confusion. The Fall intake has already landed. The January visas are yet to process. But the concern now is of discrimination and racial backlash."
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