Indian High Commission in London organises welcome event for Indian students in the UK

The High Commission of India in London organized a warm and informative welcome event for newly arrived Indian students studying in the UK. The event aimed to provide these students with valuable insights and guidance on life in the UK while offering support as their "home away from home."

Registration Drive and Gathering: The welcoming event took place at India House in London and was attended by hundreds of students. Some students also joined virtually from various universities across the UK. The event followed a registration drive, supported by free warm meals provided by the Akshaya Patra charity.

Key Highlights of the Event:

• The event covered a wide range of topics aimed at helping Indian students adapt to their new environment. These included:
  • CV writing guidance.
  • Insights into job placements, including timings and common pitfalls.
  • Financial literacy.
  • Warnings about common scams.
  • Mental health advice.

Words of Wisdom from the High Commissioner: Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, emphasized the unique experience of living and studying abroad, especially in the UK. He stressed the importance of balancing the newfound independence with a sense of responsibility. He also encouraged the students to keep an eye on India's rapidly changing landscape, as they are the future of the country.

He mentioned the numerous opportunities available in India and expressed a keen interest in developing mechanisms with UK universities to facilitate exchange programs for young British students to India. This, he believes, can lead to the creation of new startups as Indo-British partnership enterprises.

Indian Students in the UK: Indian students now constitute the largest group of international students pursuing higher education in UK universities. The latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed a significant increase, with 138,532 sponsored study visa grants to Indian nationals in the year ending March 2023. This reflects a remarkable 63% increase compared to the previous year.

Support from the High Commission: Amish Tripathi, Minister – Culture & Education at the Indian High Commission and Director of the Nehru Centre in London, assured the students that they could seek advice and support from the High Commission and other experts in any situation. He emphasized that the High Commission is their "home away from home," irrespective of their background, religion, language, or political beliefs.

Safety Initiative for New Arrivals: The Indian mission in London, along with consulates in Birmingham and Edinburgh, had initiated a safety program to register newly arrived Indian students in the UK. This initiative aimed to ensure the welfare and well-being of these students during their stay.

The event organized by the High Commission of India in London serves as a testament to the strong support and community spirit provided to Indian students studying in the UK. It not only offers valuable guidance but also creates a sense of belonging for these students as they embark on their academic journeys in a foreign land.