Zimbabwean students flock to US universities, numbers rise by 6.6%

The number of Zimbabwean students enrolling in colleges and universities in the United States continues to surge, with a 6.6% increase reported for the 2023-2024 academic year.

According to the 2024 Open Doors Report by the Institute of International Education, 1,907 Zimbabwean students are currently pursuing higher education in the US.

This growth solidifies the US as one of the top three destination countries for Zimbabweans studying abroad, after South Africa and the UK.

The data reveals that 49% of Zimbabwean students in the US are undergraduates, 32% are graduate students, 18% are involved in optional practical training (OPT), and 1% are enrolled in non-degree programs.

Notably, graduate student enrollment saw a significant 15% increase from the previous year.

In a statement, the US Embassy in Zimbabwe has attributed this trend to the growing interest in exploring higher education options and the strong partnership between the people of Zimbabwe and the US.

To support students, EducationUSA offers Opportunity Funds to high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds, alleviating application and travel costs.

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The US Embassy also manages various exchange programs, with over 100 Zimbabweans participating in fully funded academic and professional exchanges in the past year.

The US Department of State and Department of Education are celebrating International Education Week (November 18-22), highlighting the importance of international student mobility for diplomacy, innovation, economic prosperity, and national security.

“The availability of academic, athletic, and creative scholarships continues to provide a pathway for many students.

“As we celebrate 25 years of EducationUSA, the U.S. Embassy’s advising program continues to provide information and guidance to students interested in studying at a higher education institution in the United States.

“Four EducationUSA advisors in Harare, Gweru, Mutare, and Bulawayo assist students with identifying the best fit for their needs among the thousands of diverse options in the United States.

“EducationUSA annually provides Opportunity Funds to select high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds to alleviate the burden of application and travel-related costs.

“The U.S. Embassy in Zimbabwe also manages an array of exchange programs that enable Zimbabweans to travel to the United States for academic and professional exchanges.

“In the past year, more than 100 Zimbabweans have participated in a fully funded U.S. academic or professional exchange program offered by the Embassy. These efforts exemplify the U.S,” the Embassy said.