Covid-19 has had a dramatic impact on education in the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 school years.
Curriculums were forced online, on-campus activities were curtailed dramatically, travel restrictions limited international study opportunities, and many students delayed enrolments due to uncertainties about how their education would look amid a global pandemic.
In addition, the financial disruption caused by the pandemic put even more pressure on students and families already concerned about the cost of higher education.
Despite these numerous challenges, students are anxious to return to campus, and the demand for global education is stronger than ever. A new independent survey of 1,010 higher education students in five different countries explored student attitudes regarding the following themes:
- Returning to school
- Studying internationally
- Curriculum preferences
- Student visas
- Paying for education
Uncertainty was the prevailing theme for both institutions and students in the last two school years. But times are changing with the upcoming 2021 Fall semester expected to return to something resembling normal — full enrollment, on campus, and in the classroom.
One of the pandemic’s greatest impacts for many schools was international student enrolment. Covid concerns, travel restrictions, and the uncertainty of what campus life would look like limited study abroad plan severely. That is changing.
As institutions look to solidify enrolments for the upcoming school year, many confirm their plans to be back on campus, even if some schools require students to be vaccinated before arrival.
The survey of students in five different countries — the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, China, and Australia — provides a lot of optimism.
Demand for global education remains high among students in all five countries, motivated primarily by the opportunity for new cultural experiences and the academic reputation of international schools.
Students are also looking forward to returning to the classroom, with more than half of those surveyed indicating a preference for in-person learning.
One concern that has not diminished is the growing cost of education and how to pay for it financially and logistically. The process of making tuition payments continues to be a source of stress for students and families.
Many are looking for simpler, more flexible payment processes, and others are looking for assistance in payment installment plan options, specifically in the US, ways to reduce student debt.
To see the complete results of the survey, sign up here.