Many study-abroad aspirants come from close-knit families and modest backgrounds, pursuing the big dream of studying abroad and building a better life for themselves and the people they love. What most people don’t see are the long nights spent filling out forms, the financial stress, and the quiet determination it takes to get that one acceptance letter.
For these students, studying abroad isn’t only about a degree. It’s about changing their story, helping their families, and building something lasting. That’s why the choice of country matters so much. The United Kingdom has quickly become a brighter and more welcoming option, hosting 732,285 international students in 2023 – 24, nearly 23 percent of all higher education enrolments, according to data from the U.K. Parliament.
For many women from smaller towns, studying abroad can feel like a distant dream. Social expectations still hold strong in many places women are often told to focus on family first and careers later. Women who choose a different path often face quiet judgment. That quiet judgment still runs deep. Even public voices are starting to address it more openly; Bigg Boss contestant Tanya Mittal recently spoke about how women who prioritise their careers are often questioned by those around them. Yet, many are defying the odds. One such example is Prachi, a Prodigy Finance student whose inspiring story of breaking social barriers and building a global career continues to resonate online.
“As a woman, I strongly believe that every woman deserves the same encouragement and opportunity to grow in her career,” says Sonal Kapoor, global chief business officer at Prodigy Finance. “Working at Prodigy has shown me incredible stories especially from students who come from small towns and rural backgrounds, yet rise to achieve what once felt impossible.”
She further added, “I believe that you may be born with limited choices, but how you live and what you achieve is in your hands. Not everyone will become a public figure, it takes time but anyone with determination and talent can earn a world-class education and build a stable, fulfilling future for themself and their family. That’s what Prodigy Finance stands for, giving students the chance to change their story.”
Many young women from India’s northeast region and smaller towns and cities, are determined to study abroad. For them, it’s never just about getting a degree. It’s about doing something bigger for their families and the communities they come from. It’s not always an easy path — visa issues, global uncertainty, rising costs, etc. — but they keep pushing through.
The U.K. is a top choice although countries like Germany have really opened up. It now has around 400,000 international students according to DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst) and nearly 50,000 of them are from India. Similarly France, too, is picking up; according to Campus France it hosted over 440,000 international students last year, with more than 15 percent of its classrooms filled by students from around the world. And closer to home, the UAE is emerging as a prominent hub. According to Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), Dubai alone saw a 29 percent rise in international enrolments, with about 42,000 students now studying in the city.
According to Prodigy Finance, students have started thinking differently. They are becoming smarter about their choices. They’re drawn to countries that make them feel secure and give them real chances to grow and build a future.
Founded in 2007, Prodigy Finance is an international student lender that has helped over 45,000 international master’s students attend the world’s top universities. Till date, Prodigy has disbursed over $2.3 billion in funding to students from more than 150 countries.
