In a remarkable surge, Ghanaian students are increasingly opting for the United States as their preferred destination for undergraduate and graduate studies. The recently published 2023 Open Doors Report sheds light on this trend, revealing that over 6,400 Ghanaian students pursued their academic endeavors in the United States during the 2022-2023 academic year, signifying an impressive 31 percent increase compared to the previous academic year. The Open Doors Report, an annual publication by the Institute of International Education (IIE), analyzes the influx of international students into the United States.
U.S. Ambassador to Ghana, Virginia Palmer, expressed delight at this growing trend, emphasizing the role of U.S. educational institutions in providing world-class opportunities. “U.S. colleges and universities offer world-class educational opportunities, and Ghanaian students in the United States are deepening the ties of friendship, family, and business between our countries. We are so happy to see Ghanaians seeking to learn, develop their skills, and return to Ghana to benefit their communities,” Ambassador Palmer remarked.
Ghana has now entered the top 25 countries globally for sending students to the United States. The 2023 Open Doors Report indicates that a total of 6,468 Ghanaians pursued studies in the United States in 2022-2023, marking a substantial 31.6 percent increase and setting an all-time record. Notably, Ghanaians engaging in graduate degree programs totaled 4,140, marking a significant 38 percent increase over the previous year and positioning Ghana as the 14th largest sender of graduate students to the United States. In the preceding year, Ghanaian students secured nearly $9 million in scholarships, distributed across more than 700 higher educational institutions spanning all 50 states. To meet the escalating demand, the U.S. Embassy processed a record number of student visa cases in the last fiscal year.
The United States remains the premier destination for international students, hosting over one million (1,057,188) international students during the academic year 2022-2023, indicating a notable 12 percent increase from the preceding year. A significant majority of international students in the United States are pursuing studies in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields, with math and computer science continuing to lead as the prominent fields of study.
This year, the U.S. Embassy in Ghana organized the two largest EducationUSA college fairs ever held in the country, in Accra and Kumasi, attracting over 13,000 students, parents, and academic professionals.
To guide qualified individuals toward successful applications to U.S. colleges and universities, the U.S. Embassy employs EducationUSA, the U.S. Department of State’s network of education advisers. Ghana currently boasts two EducationUSA Advising Centers, one at the U.S. Embassy in Accra and the other at ACE Consult in Asokwa, Kumasi. EducationUSA Advisors collaborate with students both in-person and virtually, enhancing their understanding of the college or university application process to ensure successful applications. Over the last year, EducationUSA advisers from the Accra and Kumasi-based centers have assisted thousands of Ghanaian students in applying for admissions to hundreds of accredited U.S. institutions of higher learning.
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