By Nuzla Rizkiya
The number of Sri Lankan students studying at U.S. colleges and universities has increased by 10 percent over the most recent academic period (2023-2024), according to a US report on international educational exchange programmes.
This increase indicates that studying in the United States is becoming an increasingly popular option for Sri Lankan students who are drawn by the academic opportunities and career prospects offered by the country.
In a media statement, US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung expressed her support for the update stating that the increased figures reflects the strong educational ties between the two nations.
“The 10 percent increase in Sri Lankan students studying in the United States demonstrates the power of international education in building strong connections between our people. Through programmes like EducationUSA, we remain committed to supporting students interested in this cross-cultural exchange and I encourage even more Sri Lankan students to consider the transformative opportunities that studying in the United States can provide,” Chung commented.
According to the report, Sri Lankan students are particularly attracted to US institutions for their strong STEM programmes, advanced research facilities and opportunities for practical training.
Many of these students pursue graduate-level studies to join networks of professionals who maintain strong relations with both the countries.
The report further revealed that the US welcomed an all-time high of 1.12 million international students from more than 210 countries for the year, retaining its title as the most preferred destination for higher education in the world.
