Harvard Business School alumnus and angel investor Rajesh Sawhney has cautioned Indian students—particularly engineers from top institutes like the IITs—about the diminishing value of pursuing foreign degrees. Citing stricter visa rules, widespread tech layoffs, and a changing global job market, Sawhney said the traditional route of studying abroad is no longer a guaranteed path to high-paying jobs. “The honeymoon is over,” he remarked, urging parents to reconsider the hefty financial investment involved in overseas education.
His comments come amid growing concerns about declining student visa approvals, especially in countries like Canada, the US, and the UK. With Indian student enrollment dropping due to economic challenges and uncertain job prospects abroad, many are now shifting focus to alternative destinations in Europe offering more favorable conditions. Sawhney’s warning adds to the ongoing debate about the real value of international education in today’s economic climate.