EducationUSA Roadshow 2025: Sri Lankan Students Explore U.S. Study…

EducationUSA at the United States-Sri Lanka Fulbright Commission (U.S.-SLFC), in partnership with the U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka, hosted a successful education roadshow that reached over 1,300 participants across Colombo, Galle, and Matara. Between March 20 and 22, 2025, the free education fairs attracted more than 700 attendees—76 percent of whom were students—providing them with invaluable opportunities to connect with U.S. universities and explore higher education options.

U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung visited the Colombo fair on March 20, where she highlighted the transformative impact of studying in the United States. During her visit, the Ambassador stressed that studying in the United States offers students a chance to gain a world-class education, broaden their horizons, and return home with the skills and knowledge to make a lasting impact on their communities and beyond. “U.S. universities are leaders in innovation, offering world-class classrooms, cutting-edge research, and perspectives that foster critical thinking and creativity,” said Ambassador Chung. “By studying in the U.S., students gain not only a top-tier education but also the leadership skills and global outlook needed to thrive in today’s world and make meaningful contributions back home. Studying in the U.S. also strengthens the strong ties between our two countries, creating connections that will last a lifetime and contribute to the future success of both the United States and Sri Lanka.”

University representatives supplied details on academic programs, student life, application processes, and financial aid, while also answering questions from students interested in Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD degrees. Nine accredited U.S. colleges and universities participated in the roadshow, presenting valuable insights into the diverse opportunities available. The participating institutions included:

Several others in the education field joined the university representatives to provide supplementary resources for prospective applicants. An EducationUSA adviser covered application procedures, admissions criteria, and financial aid. Staff from the U.S.-Sri Lanka Fulbright Commission explained scholarship opportunities available to Sri Lankan citizens. At the Colombo fair, the British Council shared information on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and the Consular Section from the U.S. Embassy fielded questions regarding student visas. Youth Forum members from the American Center in Colombo and American Corner in Matara hosted interactive experiences designed to showcase the five American Spaces throughout the island.

Dr. Patrick McNamara, Executive Director of U.S.-SLFC, said, “The 2025 EducationUSA Roadshow was a great success! It really highlighted the unique learning opportunities that American universities can offer to Sri Lankan students. From STEM to entrepreneurship, from innovative arts programs to women’s or community colleges, we have it all in the U.S. And Sri Lankan students are hungry for these types of choices, as evidenced by the excellent turnout in all three cities.”

Additional events during the representatives’ three-day tour in Sri Lanka included four visits to local high schools in Colombo and Galle and a networking reception with local school counselors. The representatives commended the interest from Sri Lankan students across demographics and areas of interest. “Their curiosity and ambition were remarkable, and we’re excited to support their journey ahead,” said Sri Kumar Panyam of Worcester Polytechnic University (WPI). Pranisha Rakesh of WPI added, “We had the pleasure of meeting brilliant young minds and engaging in inspiring conversations with Sri Lankan students.”

Students, parents, and school administrators departed the fairs with a greater understanding of the benefits of completing a degree in the U.S. The 2025 EducationUSA Roadshow builds on the momentum of the 2023–2024 academic year, which saw a 10 percent increase in Sri Lankan student enrollment across U.S. higher education institutions.

About EducationUSA: EducationUSA provides free counseling services to prospective students in Sri Lanka who wish to pursue higher education in the United States and is an integral part of the United States-Sri Lanka Fulbright Commission, an autonomous, bi-national organization established in 1952. Over the past seven decades, the Fulbright Commission has facilitated educational exchanges for more than 2,000 Sri Lankans and Americans, fostering mutual understanding between the two countries. EducationUSA is a global network operated by the U.S. Department of State, consisting of over 430 international student advising centers across more than 175 countries. In Sri Lanka, EducationUSA, operating under the U.S.-Sri Lanka Fulbright Commission, offers guidance through the EducationUSA Adviser, who helps individuals navigate the application process for over 4,000 accredited American institutions and plan their educational journey.  It is the sole official source of information on U.S. higher education in Sri Lanka.

For more information about EducationUSA Sri Lanka and Fulbright Sri Lanka, including advising services and scholarship opportunities, please visit www.fulbrightsrilanka.org.