Kathmandu – According to the 2021/2022 Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange, data released by Institute of International Education (IIE) and the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the number of Nepali students studying in the United States has increased by 5.6 percent over the prior year, totaling 11,779. Nepal is the 12th leading place of origin for international students coming to the United States.

In 2021/2022, new international student enrollment rebounded and increased 80 percent, with the total number of international students enrolled in U.S. institutions up 4 percent overall, as a result. 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.

The new report also indicates that international students are returning to in-person studies in the United States. Almost 90 percent of all enrolled students are attending in-person classes. The return to campuses allows international students to build life-long 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 U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said, it is a “foreign policy imperative.” International student mobility contributes over $32 billion and more than 300,000 jobs to the U.S. economy and is a top 10 service-sector export.

The Open Doors Report also marks the celebration of International Education Week (IEW) from November 14-18, a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. 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 U.S. Embassy in Nepal, United States Educational Foundation Nepal, and American Spaces are rolling out a series of events. Featured events include: ‘Get Inspired’ programs featuring American and Nepali Alumni, a student visa presentation, IEW competitions and trivia, a series of webinars with U.S. 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 U.S. institutions.

The week of activities promotes U.S. higher education and exchange opportunities for Nepali students as they advance their educational plans and pursue their goals in the United States to develop the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in today’s global economy and create networks across borders.