Study abroad: Borders can't hold back dreams: Why education must rise above geopolitics

Hindustan Times

a day ago

Study abroad: With changing visa rules, shifting university policies, and rising global tensions, students with international ambitions are left asking a simple question: is it still worth it? The short answer is yes. Education is not just about crossing physical borders, but about expanding the boundaries of thought. In today's world, where nationalism and geopolitics increasingly shape how we view ideas and identities, the value of global education becomes even more critical. For students, studying abroad isn't simply a journey to another country; it's an opportunity to develop the perspective, empathy, and critical thinking needed to navigate a complex world. Education remains one of the few pursuits that moves freely, not because it ignores global tensions, but because it prepares individuals to engage with them thoughtfully and purposefully. Study abroad: Despite changing visa rules and global tensions, studying abroad remains valuable. It offers essential skills like empathy and critical thinking, preparing students to engage thoughtfully with the world. (File Photo / Reuters)
Understand global shifts without being overwhelmed
Geopolitical developments will continue to shape visa rules, mobility, and access to education. The recent changes to post-study work visas in the United Kingdom, for instance, have added a layer of uncertainty for many Indian students. These shifts aren't setbacks - they're signals to engage more intelligently with a changing world. The most prepared students are not reacting to every headline. They are developing a deeper understanding of how policy, society, and global systems interact. Across continents, institutions continue to open their doors to driven, diverse, and determined learners. Students who thrive in this climate are not just applicants; they are emerging global citizens. With every challenge comes an opportunity to grow more adaptable, more resilient, and more forward-thinking.
Political tides change, strong academic foundations endure
Students must remember that global universities, including the Ivy Leagues, do not exist simply to prepare you for your next job. They prepare you for a lifetime of leadership and learning. It is this mindset that sustains students through periods of uncertainty. Institutions such as Columbia, Yale, and Oxford have endured political disruption before, not because they are immune to it, but because their academic cultures are grounded in core principles: rigour, openness, and inquiry. For students, this means selecting a university not based on temporary immigration headlines, but on where they will be intellectually challenged, mentored, and prepared to contribute meaningfully over time, not just in terms of credentials, but of impact.
Seek mentorship, Guidance makes uncertainty manageable
No student is expected to navigate this journey alone. Behind every thoughtful application or purposeful decision is often a mentor, someone who challenges your thinking, broadens your lens, and helps you reflect with greater clarity. For students who are part of structured programmes that combine academic preparation with long-term mentoring, the journey becomes less about ticking boxes and more about discovering direction. In these environments, students are not just coached; they are guided to ask better questions, engage more deeply with their interests, and articulate their goals with confidence. It is not about having someone map out your path, but about learning how to think through it—step by step, with intention.
Let purpose drive your path
As you think about studying abroad, it helps to step back and ask: what do you want to learn, build, or contribute? This clarity of intent matters more than having every detail figured out. Universities look for students who are not just chasing opportunities, but who are clear about what they want to do with them. That does not mean you need to have a fixed goal. It means you are thinking for yourself, not just following a trend. When your application reflects that sense of direction, even in small ways, it becomes more honest, more memorable, and more impactful.
[Over the decades, Indian immigrants have played a transformative role in the economic, technological, and academic progress of countries like the United States and the United Kingdom. From powering Silicon Valley's innovation engine to leading research at Ivy League institutions, their contributions are not only visible, but vital. In fact, many of the very systems that drive global competitiveness today are built and led by individuals who once arrived as international students. This legacy should not just be a point of pride; it is a reminder that global mobility is a two-way street. When students bring their ideas, energy, and ambition to new environments, they don't just adapt to the world, they help improve it.]
Borders will continue to shift, and global conditions will remain unpredictable. But education remains one of the clearest ways to move forward. With over 1.3 million Indian students currently studying abroad, the ambition to seek world-class education continues to grow despite the noise. In response, many leading universities are adapting too, introducing new global campuses, rethinking curriculum, and placing greater emphasis on equipping students with the tools to navigate an increasingly complex world. For students who are prepared to think independently, act with purpose, and stay open to the world beyond their immediate surroundings, this is not a roadblock. It is a beginning.
(Author Rahul Subramaniam is co-founder of Athena, a college admissions consultancy. Views expressed are personal.)