Education experts expect a redistribution of international students from the usual major countries due to the pandemic.
Redistribution of international students expected in 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic gravely hit two of the top destinations of international students worldwide, the United Kingdom and the United States.
As the fear from the pandemic still imminent in both countries, the possibility of a redistribution of international students to other safer countries is very much probable. Canada is one of the leading countries that are most likely to boost its number of international students this academic year 2020-2021.
China is at the top of the list when it comes to sending out international students to the UK and the US. When the pandemic started, China pulled out its students, due to the rapid transmission and high infection rate in the following countries. In addition, Asians became a target for racism and criticism due to the pandemic predominantly.
As restrictions from the pandemic start to ease out and schools start to reopen, the question would be, are international students willing to risk going back to their universities, or are they willing to shift into other international school options.
Earlier during the pandemic, the percentage of students willing to cancel their international studies is as low as 10 percent. By April, the percentage soared into more than 60 percent, with around 30 percent planning to find other ways to cope up.
International studies in safer countries
A redistribution of international students will pave the way for other countries to showcase their education quality and form new bonds with other countries.
The top of the list for international students’ most likely destinations will be Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. By far, these are the top countries that have safely secured the spread of the COVID-19 in their country.
Aside from China, India will also become a major player in sending out international students as they are now focused on acquiring degrees rather than competing in a limited job market.
If these international students do stray away from continuing their degrees in European countries, it will cause a big blow on the economy of their education sector.
