More Indonesian Students Studying in US as Education Ties Strengthen
The number of Indonesian students studying in the United States increased by 5.8% to 8,467.
IDXChannel - The number of Indonesian students studying in the United States increased by 5.8% to 8,467, per the Institute of International Education’s annual Open Doors Report.
The jump is in large part due to a 22% increase in the number of Indonesians pursuing graduate programs in the United States and a 16% increase in the number of Indonesians pursuing post-graduation on-the-job training through the OPT program.
The report also showed a sharp increase in the number of Americans studying in Indonesia, from 10 to 142, reflecting a return to normal numbers after COVID-related restrictions limited student mobility worldwide.
The increase reflects growing cooperation between the Governments of Indonesia and the United States on education programs including building on the Education MOU signed in December, 2021. Education exchange is also a key pillar of the new US-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership announced on Monday at the meeting of President Joe Biden and President Joko Widodo in Washington DC.
“One of Mission Indonesia’s highest priorities is increasing people-to-people ties through education and exchange. I am delighted to see this year’s increase and am optimistic this upward trend will continue in the coming years,” said US Ambassador Sung Y Kim in a media release on Friday (16/11/2023)
To celebrate International Education Week, the U.S. Mission to Indonesia is hosting a variety of programs around the archipelago, from education outreach programs at schools and universities, to a Higher Education Partnership workshop for university administrators in Denpasar. On Sunday, EducationUSA hosted a Meet the Alumni fair featuring booths from 20 different Indonesia alumni clubs from universities such as University of California, Berkeley, Indiana University, Stanford University, and more. As part of the outreach program, an EducationUSA Adviser conducted outreach at Mentari International School Grand Surya school expo. Additionally, in collaboration with American Spaces in Yogyakarta and Pontianak, advisers conducted hybrid information sessions on the “Five Steps to Study in the USA.”
EducationUSA provides free advising services to prospective international students and offers resources and tools to help navigate the five steps to US study: researching schools, identifying financial aid opportunities, completing applications, obtaining a student visa, and preparing for departure. There are more than 4,700 accredited higher education institutions in the United States, and an EducationUSA adviser can help students narrow their options, define their priorities, and plan their college careers. There are currently eight EducationUSA advisers in Indonesia, and the program will expand over the coming year to include new adviser positions in Medan and East Kalimantan. (WHY)