WHEN Shantanu Narayan, an IIT pass-out wanted to pursue nanobiotechnology, his only choice was USA. It offers the best both in terms of infrastructure and academic ambience, he asserts. Be it nano technology, Business and Management, Engineering, Sciences or Fine Arts, the country remains the only abode for the best. The advantage of USA is that, within its fold of over 1500 universities it has not only world beaters like Harvard and MIT, but over 100-odd good-value-for-money education providers.

One of the biggest attractions that US offers is the job opportunities. Housing most of the high technology companies, US has tremendous need for postgraduates. University of southern California, Univ. of Texas, Ohio State Univ, Univ. of Illinois are some of the places with large concentration of Indian students. Some even have home-grown cricket grounds.

Costs are quite high, but aid is available, especially at the Doctoral stage. Some Master’s programmes also have good fellowships. Working while studying is not easy, since you could work only within campus. Some courses do permit Curricular Practical Training (CPT). But after Tri Valley University debacle (the university was shut down, and students were deported for visa violations. Read the story in our Aug. 2011 issue) one must be very careful. Despite all these hiccups USA still remains the land of opportunities and an education there is worth all the effort.