KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 15

The number of Nepali students studying in the United States has increased by 5.6 per cent compared to the previous years, totalling 11,779, according to the 2021-2022 Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange released by International Education and the US Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

Nepal is the 12th leading place of origin for international students coming to the United States.

In 2021-2022, new international student enrolment rebounded and increased by 80 per cent, with the total number of international students enrolled in US institutions going up by four per cent overall.

Despite global health challenges, the strong growth confirms that the United States is once again the top host destination for international students welcoming over 948,000 international students from over 200 places of origin, said a press release issued by the US Embassy in Nepal.

The new report also indicates that international students are returning to in-person studies in the United States. Almost 90 per cent of all enrolled students are attending in-person classes. The return to campuses allows international students to build lifelong connections with American peers, increasing collaboration across fields of study, and growing America's international partnerships to address current and future global challenges.

International student mobility is central to diplomacy, innovation, economic prosperity, and national security. As US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, it is a 'foreign policy imperative'. International student mobility contributes over $32 billion and more than 300,000 jobs to the US economy and is a top 10 service-sector export.

The Open Doors Report also marks the celebration of International Education Week from November 14-18, a joint initiative of the US Department of State and the US Department of Education, designed to attract future leaders from other countries to study, learn, and exchange experiences in the United States.

In support of IEW 2022, the US Embassy in Nepal, United States Educational Foundation Nepal, and American Spaces are rolling out a series of events. The featured events include: 'Get Inspired' programmes featuring American and Nepali Alumni, a student visa presentation, IEW competitions and trivia, a series of webinars with US universities, and panel discussion on campus life as an LGBTQI+ student as outreach to LGBTQI+ students to promote knowledge, awareness, and acceptance of LGBTQI+ individuals at US institutions.

A version of this article appears in the print on November 16, 2022 of The Himalayan Times.