Indian students are looking beyond usual study-abroad spots. TOEFL's expanding test centres into smaller Indian towns to meet this shift. No longer just the 'Big Four' of the U.S., U.K.,Canada,and Australia. Now it's 'Big 14.'
Karan Lalit, head of TOEFL, GRE, and ETS in India,says students still love those countries for their schools and networks. But they're eyeing Germany,France, Ireland,New Zealand,UAE, Russia, and others too. Students from smaller towns want cheaper education and better job chances overseas.
Canada's currently got the most Indian students at 427,000. The U.S. has 337,000, U.K. 185,000,and Australia 122,000. Germany's drawing over 43,000,UAE 25,000,and Russia 24,000 . In Kyrgyzstan and Georgia,there are about 16,000 Indian students. France, Kazakhstan, and the Philippines each have around 10,000.
Lalit says this isn't about lowering aspirations. It's about smart choices. Students weigh cost,visa ease, and work chances after studies. More students from smaller towns are heading abroad.
To meet demand for admissions help and test prep, ETS is teaming with Crizac Limited. They're offering TOEFL and GRE prep materials to over a million students looking to study abroad.
Crizac,with 14,000 partners and ties to over 500 universities in 85 countries,will broaden access to ETS resources. Lalit points out the growing need for reliable counseling and prep resources,especially in smaller cities.
TOEFL is accepted by over 13,000 schools in 160 countries . Currently, 65 test centres in India, aiming for 100 by 2027,focusing on smaller towns. New centre's planned for Purulia, West Bengal, beyond Kolkata.
Dr. Vikash Agarwal of Crizac says geography shouldn't limit education. The ETS partnership provides TOEFL and GRE prep,scholarships, and financial aid . Nearly 100,000 students could benefit.
Agarwal said,“This expansion with TOEFL will boost access to its global assessments across India. ETS will strengthen its eastern India presence.”
As overseas study demand rises,TOEFL and Crizac's partnership shows commitment to helping Indian students from all backgrounds chase higher education abroad.
