Vongai Masuka

The number of Zimbabwean students going to the United States of America for higher education is increasing, with latest statistics showing that the enrolment of Zimbabwean students in US tertiary institutions increased by 18.7% from last year.

In a statement,  the US Embassy said the growing interest of Zimbabweans studying in the United States affirms the strong binds between the people of the two countries.

The Embassy said undergraduate students had their enrolment increased to 24.4%, marking it one of the most substantial increases among all sub-Saharan African nations.

“Globally, the total number of international students choosing US Universities and colleges grew by 11.5% totaling over 1 million students from countries worldwide,” reads the report.

Among the Zimbabwean students in the United States, 51.4% are pursuing undergraduate degrees, 29.4% are graduate students, and 17% are participating in Optional Practical Training (OPT), with the remaining students enrolled in non-degree programs according to the report.

Over the past decade, more than 500 Zimbabweans have participated in the U.S. Fulbright Program, a fully funded academic exchange program that represents just one of the embassy’s many exchange initiatives.

The U.S. Embassy in Zimbabwe also maintains robust exchange programs that facilitate academic and professional exchanges between Zimbabwe and the United States.