Why Indian Students Are Choosing Middle East Over Europe, America For Higher Education | World News

New Delhi: India sends more than 1.8 million students abroad every year. Western countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, France and Australia, traditionally attracted the highest number of Indian students for undergraduate programs. The entrance to these countries has been a widespread desire for years. However, the patterns are changing. More students are now looking beyond these traditional destinations and discovering countries that may be surprised for many.

Countries such as the United Arab Emirates in the Middle East and Central Asia (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Russia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Iran emerge as popular options for Indian students. These countries offer not only quality education, but also lower education and living costs.

Students also find promising employment opportunities while reading here. Since some destinations provide an environment with cultural familiarity, they allow students to work in an environment that is compatible with their values ​​and lifestyle. These trends emphasize the changing priorities of Indian students.

Why Central, West Asian countries gain popularity

Experts say that financial and logistics factors lead this change. For example, Kazakhstan, Russia and Uzbekistan are popular because medical programs and other professional courses are more affordable. 3,855 Indian students registered in Kazakhstan in 2022; By 2025, the number rose to 12,020. Russia attracted 31,000 Indian students last year.

The UAE is attractive because they are closer to India and offer cost -effective education geographically, such as Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Russia. Another reason is the presence of branch campuses of the best international universities. For example, the UAE hosts branch campuses from the United States of Turkey and Sorbonne University from France from the United States and allows students to earn globally recognized at lower costs compared to work in the original country.

Dubai turned from a transit stop to a last goal for students. He only reads more than 42,000 foreign students in the city. Introduction is relatively simple, because of the presence of large companies, business opportunities can be accessed and the city is geographically closer to India.

Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and other countries in universities in universities in English contributes to the objections of programs. In addition, general education and living costs in these countries are significantly lower than Western alternatives.

This change reflects a wider evolution in the decision -making process of Indian students. Financial feasibility, cultural adaptation, accessible employment opportunities and proximity to home direct students to see Middle East and Central Asian countries as applicable and attractive options for higher education.