Education tourism

PUNE: Going abroad for higher studies was always high on the agenda for Indians. Now, with higher disposable incomes, the level of 'higher' education has been coming down for parents.

Targeting the under grad is The Princeton Review which helps students prepare for the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), necessary for admission into US colleges. The Sara Beattie Institute, headquartered in Hong Kong and handling the Asia Pac region, has now opened a centre in Pune.

Pune, positioned as an educational destination itself, is in the process of offering a lower cost alternative for studying for examinations like SAT. The fees are Rs 18,000 for a month's course and course ware.

There are a large number of institutes offering coaching for the SAT. However, from March 05, the SAT has changed and now includes an essay and a multiple choice test. This has apparently reduced the number of institutes in the city offering coaching here.

"The next SAT test is on Ocotber 8 and we expect at least 20 of our students to take it," said Sharmila pai, associate director, educational services, The Princeton Review.

She added that they have been receiving inquiries from international young students wanting to attend coaching classes in India.

"We have two inquiries from relatives of students in London and Dubai for students who will come to India during their vacations and take the class here. After all, this is much lower cost," Pai pointed out.