Brain Circulation
November 29th, 2008
Submitted by: Morgan O’Hara
Please take a look at this beautifully written article, entitled India Calling. It talks of the allure of the motherland for young, Westernized Indians.
The “brain drain” trend has greatly benefited America. That the world’s brightest minds decide to coalesce within our borders has given this country a sustainable competitive advantage over other nations. We can argue that the rest of the world has benefited, in that the U.S. has dragged it along. But now, the rest of the world is picking up steam.
In the conclusion of the The Post American World, Zakaria claims that for America to preserve its leadership, it must continue to welcome the brightest minds from abroad, who in turn must aspire to succeed in this country. This is a virtuous cycle.
So what do you think of the brain circulatio’ trend? Will the world?s brightest minds no longer be so enticed by our roads paved with gold? And though this new trend may not solely benefit America, won’t it surely be good for the world? Maybe then they can drag us forwards; or is that already starting to happen? As Americans, we value our supremacy, geopolitically speaking. But isn’t the world better off , us included, if the playing field is more leveled?
Albeit a small sample size, of the students I met from Cal Poly’s Indian Association, only a few seemed willing to relocate to India. I get the impression that only the most intrepid souls will take the plunge and thrust themselves into a very chaotic country. And they will likely be the ones to reap the benefits. In turn, the ‘brain circulation’ trend will continue to increase.
Entry Filed under: China, India, Pre-Departure
9 Comments Add your own
1. Chris Carr | November 29th, 2008 at 4:12 am
See this related post by Dr. Singh from last year’s trip, Return to India: One Family’s Journey to America and Back.
2. Michael Mossman | December 1st, 2008 at 7:02 pm
It is great to see people rediscover their heritage and move back to there home country as Anand Giridharadas has done. This current “brain circulation” is in its infancy and we will see it progress over the coming years. I believe it is great for a person to be able to move between countries at their own pleasing to find a place that makes them happy. With some people moving back to India from America it helps create a stronger relationship and understanding between the two countries.
I do not think there will be a major departure of Indian-Americans moving to India in the coming years. There are approximately 2.8 million Indian-Americans currently living in America and I believe most of them will continue to live here for the rest of their lives. Living in America or India both has its pros and cons. America offers a great transportation and utility infrastructure that many of us take for granted; India has always been struggling to build a decent infrastructure. This is just one example of why America might be more appealing, but India has some major benefits as well.
In the coming decades, I believe there will be a steady decrease of immigrants immigrating to America from developing economic countries like China and India. As people move between countries it will be a benefit because there will be a better understanding of each others culture.
3. Morgan O'Hara | December 29th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
If you’re interested, check out this NY Times video called ‘Reverse Brain Drain.’ It talks about how Chinese financial institutions are swooping up laid off Wall Street workers. Any thoughts?
Click HERE to watch the video.
4. Emily Schaapveld | December 29th, 2009 at 2:55 pm
Whether India’s brightest minds choose to live in America or their homeland, the competition will force the U.S. to strengthen its education system. If they stay, Americans will be forced to obtain a superior education in order to compete with the highly intelligent Indians. If Indians choose to return or remain in their homeland, Americans must produce a highly intelligent workforce that can keep the U.S economy at the top. Either way, I think the bright minds of India are challenging Americans to become the best through education.
5. Erika Bylund | January 20th, 2010 at 10:08 am
I haven’t heard of this brain circulation concept until this article. It really put a new perspective on the subject. I was surprised at the relatively high number or foreign students here in the OCOB program (not just from India). I think it testifies to the quality and reputation of American schools abroad.
Personally, I feel that it’s great that our institutions can serve foreign and domestic students. It’s a great benefit both ways. I can’t tell you how much I’ve learned from some of my German, Indian, and Chinese classmates. Having their first-hand perspectives in classroom discussions is fantastic because I don’t have to rely on what I’ve read in books or seen on TV. It also builds a sense of familiarity with how things might be abroad.
At the same time, foreign students get he same inter-cultural experience and the benefits of U.S. style education. Whether they decide to stay here in the U.S. or work abroad, everyone benefits when knowledge is spread.
The ways of business are becoming more standardized internationally, and the “brain-circulation” is a good explanation for that. Whether it is good or bad depends on whether you view standardization to be a good or a bad thing. Regardless, it certainly makes things easier.
6. Phil Hamer | February 7th, 2010 at 10:37 pm
I’ve read several articles on the brain drain phenomena and the reversal in recent years. It seems to me like it is a matter of preference and fortunately these people now have options. Some people after living years in America experience culture shock on their return to India and decide they are too Americanized to stay, whereas some come to America waiting for the day when they can return home and once they do their lives are much happier.
At any rate, brain circulation is good thing for all of us, especially in the business and education world, if it forces the exchange of new ideas, healthy competition, and more ways to work.
7. John Barry | February 27th, 2010 at 1:48 am
We’ve been very fortunate to experience this phenomena here in the U.S. since the immigrant population that made us so properous in yester-years, seemed to be traded in for immigrants with very low education levels and qualifications. Unfortunately I don’t foresee this trend continuing for much longer. Now that much of the world’s middle class populations is increasing, ours is doing the exact opposite. As many emerging nations are gaining momentum and experiencing growth superior to ours, it is much more likely that the talent in those countries will choose to seek success in their home country rather than venture overseas to take a gamble with payoffs possibly inferior to those at home. Much of the Brazilian community in Southern California actually started to move back to Brazil in numbers much greater than in years past. Turns out that homesickness is exacerbated when you have little professional success to show for your personal sacrifices.
8. Danielle Steussy | February 28th, 2010 at 10:11 am
Since America is giving all these countries the opportunity to prosper and grow, it won’t be too long before people start to move back to their home countries. We might even see Americans immigrating to other countries in the near future for career opportunities.
I don’t necessarily think that the “brain drain” gives the United States a sustainable competitive advantage because the playing field is being leveled out. However, it’s certainly not a bad situation for the United States to be in. For one, it gives the United States a good kick in the rear to start improving the domestic educational system to create an American workforce worthy of competing with those of other countries. Secondly, overall, I could see this seriously impacting our relationships with other countries, and very much in a positive way. The more that lines are blurred between countries and the more unified the global economy can become.
9. Michael Minasian | March 10th, 2010 at 9:02 am
The top talent will continue to come to America as long as they see an opportunity for prosperity. The problem is that our current situation is not so bright anymore. Given our downtrodden economy, I have to think that even the “chaotic” Indian economy is looking more and more enticing.
The biggest issue is the anti-business practices that our country has decided is hope for the future. If our country continues to stifle growth with regulation and taxation, the emerging economies which have much less of these things, and bigger opportunities for large scale returns, will have the unintended consequence of draining not only our business, but the talent that we have acquired.
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