Will Indian Students OPT out of America? episode artwork

EPISODE · Apr 17, 2025 · 21 MIN

Will Indian Students OPT out of America?

from The Morning Brief · host The Economic Times

What if the very reason Indian students choose the U.S. for higher education suddenly disappeared? No, it’s not the allure of Silicon Valley or Ivy League labels we’re talking about OPT: Optional Practical Training. For years, it’s been the launchpad for STEM grads to gain real U.S. work experience after their degree. But that pathway is now under serious threat. In this episode, host Neil Ghai and Prachi Verma are joined by Adarsh Khandelwal, co-founder of Collegify, and Nikhil Jain, founder of ForeignAdmits, to unpack a new bill in the U.S. Congress that could abolish the OPT program altogether. With Indian students accounting for more than 40% of all OPT approvals last year, this isn’t just a policy shift, it's a potential game-ender. So, what’s driving this move? What’s at stake? And how might it reshape the future for Indian students eyeing the U.S.? Tune in.Check out other interesting episodes from the host like: Tariffs trump trade, The Curious Case of IndusInd Bank, The Influencer Economy’s Quiet Reset, India’s Biggest Hospital has a Chronic Illness and much more.You can follow Neil Ghai on his social media: Twitter and Linkedin or StoriesYou can follow Indrajit Hazra on his social media: Twitter and Linkedin or Stories  Catch the latest episode of ‘The Morning Brief’ on ET Play, The Economic Times Online, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, JioSaavn, Amazon Music and Youtube.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Will Indian Students OPT out of America?

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This episode was published on April 17, 2025.

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What if the very reason Indian students choose the U.S. for higher education suddenly disappeared? No, it’s not the allure of Silicon Valley or Ivy League labels we’re talking about OPT: Optional Practical Training. For years, it’s been the...

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