Canadian universities are becoming progressively more popular as Trump toughens immigration laws.
Are US and UK Schools Still Open For Prospective International MBAs?
Urvi Bhandare, 23, from Mumbai, first wanted to join an American business school to pursue her MBA degree. But her friends who failed to extend their visas and find work in the US, strongly advised against her decision. That’s why Urvi Bhandare changed her mind and applied to the Canadian Rotman School of Management (Toronto) instead.
According to the Financial Times, Canada is much more open to diverse cultures than the modern-day USA. Its welcoming environment persuades aspiring MBAs to look for jobs there.
Around the world, applicants from India are usually sought for, as they usually are diligent and intelligent. Surveys say that students from India are much more likely to stay and land a job in the country where their university was, than, say, Chinese students.
However, recent changes in the US and UK laws (formerly these two countries were the largest receptors of Indian immigrants) scare prospective Indian MBAs away. For instance, Urvi Bhandare made her final decision about going to Canada instead of the US when Donald Trump announced he would run for presidency. Even then, Ms Bhandare knew that Trump’s probable coming into office would severely limit her opportunities in the US, for studying and work alike.
Read about the most diverse universities in United States.
In Canada, though, MBA students from abroad are free to stay in the country for no less than 3 years after they graduate, which gives them ample time to secure a job. In the US, you can get an H-1B type visa, which is also valid for 3 years, but requires a position at an American company. Recently, the US president proposed to raise minimum wages for international employees, which will make American companies want to save money and hire Americans only. In the UK, there was a special visa for university graduates from countries not in the European Union – but it was discontinued five years ago.
Are Canadian Universities The Salvation For International MBAs?
Even with these positive changes for Canadian business schools, they still suffer from being not so well-known and prestigious as American and British universities. In the Financial Times ranking of world’s best business schools, Rotman school (Toronto University) is the 65th, while Ivey (Western University) is the 94th, and Smith (Queen’s University) the 100th. Out of the world’s top fifteen business schools, nine are in the USA.
Still, Canadian schools are quickly becoming popular, especially after UK’s Brexit vote. American and British losses in the field of international workforce will inevitably turn into Canada’s gains.
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