The epidemic has shelved many students' study abroad plans, but the epidemic has not blocked the attraction of prestigious schools at all; the head of international admissions at an American university said that due to the epidemic, it will take some time to truly return to the previous prosperity, but it will soon There are few families who have given up their study abroad plans due to the epidemic, because the United States is recognized as the country with the highest education quality in the world.
Recently, after the epidemic has gradually stabilized, studying abroad has ushered in a new turn! A latest report from the Institute of International Education (IIE) shows that the number of international students in the United States is showing signs of rebound.
Let’s first learn about IIE. The Institute of International Education (IIE) was founded in 1919. It is a non-profit organization that promotes international exchange education and training. It is headquartered in the United States and has 7 branches in the United States. institutions, with 13 branches in other countries and regions around the world.
IIE conducted the 2022 Spring Survey of U.S. higher education institutions from April 14 to April 29, 2022. 559 institutions completed the survey. A majority of U.S. colleges and universities (95%) also completed the most recent Open Doors survey. The surveyed institutions accounted for 49% of the total number of U.S. institutions in 2020/21 and students studying in the U.S. in 2019/20.
The "online class model" is about to end
In the spring of 2021, only 8% of schools require that all international students must complete the semester on campus. However, this year's survey report shows that more than half of the schools (55%) stipulate International students are required to come to campus.
In fact, this requirement is more in line with the wishes of international students to a large extent, because most students want to come to campus to experience the learning life on campus in person, rather than through a cold screen.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic is still ongoing. American universities have always put the health and safety of international students first. Therefore, during the epidemic, schools will continue to provide relevant support for international students studying in the United States, including providing services related to COVID-19. health communications, mental health supports and services, COVID-19-related emergency student aid for international students, and more.
According to the 2021 Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange, the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a 15% decrease in the number of international students in the 2020/21 academic year, to just over 914,000. The total number of international students at all academic levels is declining. A closer look at the numbers reveals that the decline occurred primarily among new international students or students attending a U.S. college or university for the first time.
In fall 2020, the total number of new international students admitted fell by nearly half (46%). This figure has fallen as many international students have chosen to defer their studies or pause their studies entirely in spring 2020 due to closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic and overall uncertainty about the 2021/22 academic year.
But soon, the number of international students rebounded!
International student applications soar in new academic year
In the 2021/22 academic year, the Autumn 2021 International Student Enrollment Snapshot reported a 4% increase in the total number of international students. While this is just a snapshot of the full opening of the population, it is the first sign of a rebound in international student numbers. This trend reflects filing trends over the past two years.
American colleges and universities remain committed to increasing the number of international students, primarily on-campus students. Most institutions reported an increase in applications for the 2022/23 academic year, particularly for master's and undergraduate degrees (76%), PhDs (73%), community colleges (68%) and liberal arts colleges (51%). Compared with other institutions (38 in total), the number of institutions of special concern is smaller, but nearly half (45%) of the institutions stated that the number of applications was the same as last year.
Colleges and universities continue to adjust application and selection procedures to make the process of studying in the United States easier for international students. As with previous application cycles, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, institutions report that they offer prospective students the ability to submit applications (84%) and visa documents (80%) online. Most institutions allow online exams instead of offline exams (54%). A quarter of institutions extend application deadlines (28%) and admissions deadlines (25%) as needed.
These measures, some of which have been adapted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, make the application and selection process for international students easier and streamline the admissions process. The findings in this section suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic situation will stabilize at U.S. universities during the spring 2022 semester. As international student programs find their feet on pandemic protocols and student health and safety. The next section takes a closer look at how institutions can support international students in this reality.
Outlook for the coming fall
As schools prepare to welcome a new group of international students for the fall 2022 semester, it is important to understand how schools plan to support student safety on campus.
For all students, both U.S. and international, Nearly all colleges and universities (99%) plan to offer offline or hybrid instruction, and the majority of institutions (61%) plan to offer hybrid instruction.
One-third of institutions (33%) plan to offer only in-person learning. Looking at trends since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the findings show that institutions will have the flexibility to switch between hybrid, virtual and in-person instruction in just two years.
US institutions are prioritizing face-to-face learning for international students in the 2022/23 academic year. Nearly all institutions (96%) plan to offer international students offline study in the United States.
The proportion of institutions offering in-person learning to prospective international students has increased compared with this time last year.
About 66% of institutions said they would provide students with deferrals to spring 2023 (a decrease from 77% last year), and only 32% said they would provide online admissions services to international students until they can Report to school in person.
Institutions note changes to COVID-19 safety protocols on U.S. campuses in fall 2022.
Compared with last fall, most schools do not plan to require students, faculty and staff to wear masks. This is in line with protocols implemented in the spring of 2022 as mask mandates were relaxed across the United States. Most other COVID-19 safety protocols have been relaxed on campus, including regular monitoring of COVID-19 symptoms, restrictions on campus areas and activities, and restrictions on travel for students, faculty, and staff.
U.S. colleges and universities continue to use a variety of resources to recruit prospective international students, including working with current international students (91%), hosting online admissions events (89%), and leveraging social media (73%).
Promote student outreach through online events and social media, allowing institutions to recruit globally and reach student populations not traditionally included in their admissions journey.
Current international students can often provide personal, real-life testimonials of how international students have succeeded both on their campus and in the United States.
Finally, according to the latest IIE report, the flexibility of international educational exchanges has been seen over time, which has also confirmed that students’ enthusiasm for studying abroad has not diminished, and American colleges and universities are also ready to welcome the arrival of international students. For international students, returning to campus for offline learning is a better opportunity to experience international education.
We can see from the report that applications for studying in the United States are picking up in the new academic year, the number of applicants has increased sharply, and the competition has become more intense. If you want to stand out in this fierce application process and apply to your ideal college, you should plan and prepare early.
