Internationalization of Higher Education: A Case Study of Indian Student Mobility to the USA

Abstract

The role of education has changed in the recent years, now education has evolved as a tradable commodity in the global arena. This with the inclusion of education under the framework of GATS has made countries across the globe active participants in the ongoing internationalization of higher education. The process of internationalization of higher education is facilitated through the cross border trade. Trade in education through cross border takes place when a provider, course material or programme, teacher or student crosses the national boundaries to deliver the services. The most visible form of cross border trade in education is predominantly through the movement of students to foreign universities abroad termed as "Student Mobility”. With each year increasing number of higher education opportunities to study abroad are contributing to the rising number of student mobility.

Therefore with the discussion on the issue of the internationalization of education services, paper comprehensively examines the recent pattern and composition of international student mobility globally and with respect to India.  The paper particularly focuses on the streams witnessing majority of international students and looks into the underlying causes.