Studying Abroad After the Pandemic

After coming to a near standstill during the pandemic, it seems students are making up for lost time in their pursuit of a study abroad experience. The number of students taking part in foreign study programs is tipping higher than before the pandemic, breathing new life and excitement into programs around the world.

A survey from the Institute of International Education (IIE) highlighted that 98% of reporting institutions offered in-person study abroad or a combination of in-person and online options, a big jump from just 31% in the summer of 2021.

Yet a global pandemic has a way of changing things, and international academic programs are no exception. Here are some examples of how overseas study programs look a bit different following the pandemic.

A young woman with a backpack looks out at a busy street in a foreign country.

It’s Not Just About Europe Anymore

While Europe is still the top spot for studying abroad, other regions are growing with Japan, South Korea, Australia, Costa Rica, New Zealand, South Africa, Chile, Argentina, Mexico and Ecuador ranking some of the top destinations in 2023, according to the IIE.

China Is Less Popular

Last year, 350 Americans were studying in China. A dramatic contrast to 10 years ago, when 15,000 American students were studying in China, NBC News reported. The relationship between the countries has become increasingly complicated in the last decade, and the pandemic shutdowns caused enrollment to nosedive further.

Russia Is Not an Option

Russia’s war in Ukraine has largely shut down international study programs in both countries. But for students studying Russian, there’re alternatives. Many Russian study abroad programs have moved to countries previously in the Soviet Union. Harvard’s Russian studies programs have moved to countries like “Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Armenia, and Estonia. These countries provide both an excellent environment for Russian [language] immersion and exposure to their rich cultural traditions.”

Increased Accessibility

The move to virtual study abroad programs highlighted one trait of the typical international studies experience that students and universities both hope to change: inaccessibility.

“As institutions adopted virtual programming, students who were previously unable to afford the experience or unable to travel due to financial, physical, mental health, or other obstacles were suddenly presented with the opportunity to participate,” University Business reported.

Best Colleges shared about potential legislation that would increase accessibility to study abroad programs. The Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Program Act aims to: increase the number of undergraduate students studying abroad, ensure the demographics of study abroad students mirror the broad demographics of college students in the United States and increase the number of “nontraditional” study abroad locations.

A young woman student walks along a college campus green.

Potentially More Scholarships Available

The Conversation recommended students ask about unused study abroad scholarships from the pandemic if they are looking for financial aid.

“Because study abroad programs were mostly paused for the past few years, the scholarship funds that colleges have dedicated to these programs may have been left largely untouched. Fund balances could be higher now and there may be a possibility to obtain a larger award than in years past.”

More Contingency Planning

If there’s anything the pandemic taught us, it’s that the unexpected can and does happen. That’s why The Conversation recommended students make sure their universities have a backup plan in case the program is disrupted.

For the large part, universities are delivering on this need by maintaining the infrastructure for virtual study abroad programs or offering alternative countries should the destination close down or become too risky for students.

Heightened Awareness of Risks

While COVID-19 restrictions have significantly subsided around the world, there may still be some to be aware of, depending on the destination. The State Department provides a country-specific glimpse at COVID-19 restrictions here.

Students and universities should also be more aware of travel risks besides COVID-19. The State Department’s country-specific resources can be found here.

Elon University’s dean of global education, Nick Gozik, recommended to Volt Magazine that all universities invest in a global health and safety officer to help manage the health and security risks of student travel. It was having an officer in this role, which helped the university’s study abroad program stay afloat—albeit restricted—during the pandemic.

If such a hire isn’t possible, Margaret Wiedenhoeft, executive director at Kalamazoo College’s Center for International Programs, adds that communication between students and sources at home and abroad becomes even more important.

“I don’t believe student safety has directly been impacted by staff cuts in international education offices, but I do think there has been more collaboration among offices both on-campus and with partners overseas,” Wiedenhoeft shared with Volt Magazine. “Everyone contributes to the safety of students whether on- or off-campus.”

Global Rescue: Your partner for Safe Study Abroad

Students and universities alike can rely on Global Rescue to help navigate the complicated environment of today’s international travel.

Our thorough destination reports bring the murkiness of international travel risk into crystal clarity, providing program managers, health and safety officers and students the awareness and confidence to travel to new places.

Our evacuation services are an affordable alternative to paying out of pocket in the event of an emergency—a cost that could reach as high as $250,000, The Conversation reported.

Our on-staff medical team is just a phone call away to help diagnose illnesses, create treatment plans and direct students to vetted, quality health care in your area.

Don’t study abroad without us.