Kolkata is snowballing into a highly coveted education hub for many international students

Along with Bangalore, Delhi and Chennai, Kolkata has also established itself as one of the leading education hubs of the country. Youngsters from many foreign countries, especially US, Japan, South Korea, Mexico and China, are looking at the city as a prospective avenue for higher education.
Geoffery Smith, from the USA, considers Kolkata his second home and feels elated to study homeopathy at a city&’s leading university. “There is something very inviting about this city. I’ve been here since 2012 because after reading a lot on India&’s homeopathic culture, I wanted to begin my research here,” said Smith. Apart from studying in the city, he is also happy to learn some Bengali.
Students prefer coming to this city because it has a rich cultural heritage and immense historical importance. However, most students aren’t here just to study in universities. Kolkata has also become a place for students to gather experience. Most of them are found working with various NGO&’s that are in plenty across the city. For Carlos Fernanda from Mexico, Kolkata is a safe haven for students where transport is comfortable and well-organised. He also believes that the city of joy is comparatively cheaper than most metropolitans across India. “I’d love to try traditional Bengali dresses to look different,” Fernanda added.
Catherine Humphrey, an intern with Nabajiban, an NGO, has come down from the United Kingdom and believes that this city has a wide variety of immigrants from China, Britain, Portugal and Armenia. Humphrey is keen on specialising in NGO&’s and wants to set one of her own some time soon.
“This internship is a great opportunity for me to learn the do&’s and don’ts of the NGO sphere. This experience would be of great help. The people here are so helpful and amiable. It is a very different taste for someone coming from the west,” added Humphrey.
For Weon Yang from Korea, who is studying English from a private university, Kolkata is just like home. “Interacting with people here can help you learn so much,” said Yang.
Many foreigners are a part of the South Asia Development Centre, an institute that imparts English speaking courses. SADC wanted to tap the East Asian market and help students find good jobs. It has been fairly successful so far. Over the years, the institute&’s authorities have noticed a sharp rise in the influx of international students.
Observing the change, Sudeshna Chatterjee, director, SADC, said that Kolkata&’s appeal is growing thereby inviting international students.
For many international students, Kolkata has a strong cultural pull. A student from Seoul, who preferred not being named, said that this city is a powerhouse of intellectuals. Here, according to him, people give more importance to art than money.
But then there are certain pitfalls that make many students feel awful about the city. The traffic is dense and the condition of most roads is pathetic. There are many students who are put off by the unwanted noise that comes in their way while they study at home.