True essence has been overshadowed

Over the past five years, I have gained valuable insights into full-time recruitment for USA-based universities from Nepal. This journey has shed light on many hidden business activities. From the students' perspective, there is a solid aspiration to study abroad, but many are not fully prepared for the specific requirements of their desired countries. Instead, they seek shortcuts to success, often resulting in high rates of visa rejections for tier 1 and 2 countries. Nepal is home to numerous educational consultancies that offer guidance for studying abroad, overseen by the government and various umbrella organizations.

The main stakeholders in the study abroad process include university representatives, educational consultancies, students, parents, and the government. Each stakeholder prioritizes their success, often overshadowing the true essence of recruitment practices. University representatives are driven by the pressure to recruit students to meet their university's goals, while consultancies prioritize profitability over providing proper guidance. Many parents perceive studying abroad as a pathway to long-term success, and students often follow this path without question. Studying abroad is seen as a matter of pride for both parents and students, usually associated with social status based on the country of destination. For example, flying to the United States, Canada, or Australia is considered a stroke of luck and an immediate success, with expectations of immediate financial benefits. However, in the rush to achieve these goals, the true essence of recruitment practices has been overshadowed.