The United States continues to be one of the most attractive destinations for Azerbaijani youth pursuing high-quality higher education. Speaking at the EducationUSA exhibition in Baku, Hugo Guevara, Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Azerbaijan, highlighted the steady growth in the number of Azerbaijani students choosing to study in the U.S.
According to Guevara, 1,130 Azerbaijani students were enrolled in American universities during the 2023–2024 academic year—a 25.4 percent increase from the previous year. This marks the fourth consecutive year of such growth, reflecting the rising trust in and demand for U.S. higher education.
“The United States remains a global leader in education. Students from around the world continue to choose U.S. universities—more than 1.1 million international students studied in the U.S. last year. Azerbaijani students not only receive a world-class education but also serve as cultural ambassadors, returning home with new perspectives that contribute to the country’s development,” Guevara said.
He noted that the U.S. is home to over 5,000 colleges and universities offering a wide variety of academic programs and scholarship opportunities, including athletic scholarships. “With so many options, it can be difficult to know where to start. That’s why the U.S. Embassy supports the EducationUSA program—to help students find the right academic path,” he explained.
The EducationUSA Alumni Fair, jointly organized by the U.S. Embassy and the American Councils for International Education, was aimed at high school and university students as well as their parents. The event featured over 30 booths where Azerbaijani alumni of U.S. universities and embassy representatives shared their experiences and provided information on exchange programs and fields of study ranging from science and the arts to business and public policy.
Visitors also had the opportunity to speak with U.S. consular staff and receive detailed guidance on student visa procedures.
Since 1993, more than 8,000 Azerbaijani citizens have taken part in over 50 exchange and educational programs funded by the U.S. government. According to Guevara, many of these alumni have returned to Azerbaijan and are contributing to its future thanks to the knowledge and experience they gained in the U.S.
