The report on the development of study abroad in China (2020-2021) shows that the COVID-19 has not significantly affected the actual demand of Chinese students to study abroad. The truth is that the number of Chinese students studying abroad has continued to grow. At the same time, the number of returned overseas students continues to increase. Because having an international perspective has become the core competitiveness of many overseas students.
Looking back on 2021, the global COVID-19 was spreading fast. Meanwhile, the international situation was complex and changeable. By that, you could tell it was not an easy year for overseas students. In 2022, what are the new changes in the entry and study abroad policies of various countries? How should the Chinese overseas students plan their way to study?
The United States is still the largest country to study abroad
The sudden global outbreak of COVID-19 has brought new challenges to the development of global study abroad. Although it has brought a certain negative impact on Chinese students’ choice to study abroad, the demand has not fundamentally changed. As we observe, studying abroad is still an important development direction. However, it will be delayed during the spread of the global epidemic.
The United States remains the largest destination for Chinese students to study abroad. However, there is something worth noticing. Although the total number of students studying in the United States has increased in the past 15 years, its growth rate has not significantly changed since the 2009-2010 academic year.
More and more students are looking to countries and regions with friendlier study environment and visa policies and more effective epidemic control. According to a report back in 2020, the proportion of students who choose to go to Japan, Singapore and New Zealand has increased slightly.
Studying in local areas as an alternative
Due to COVID-19, the world that once focused on offline interconnection has transformed into an online interconnection. With the help of the development of information technology, many students’ study abroad life has also changed to online learning.
Firstly, impact on willingness. According to the report, the epidemic situation may have a more profound impact on students’ willingness and enthusiasm to study abroad in the coming period.Besides that, it also have a far-reaching impact on the development of international education and the whole study abroad industry.
Secondly, Sino-foreign cooperating programs. Although studying abroad has faced obstacles in the short term, studying in Sino-foreign cooperating universities is becoming a new alternative. Especially during the epidemic period, Sino-foreign cooperating universities or programs have become important carriers for Chinese students.
Thirdly, new teaching methods. At the same time, some foreign colleges and universities have ushered in new semesters after the winter vacation. However, the rapid spread of Omicron virus has brought more variables to the teaching methods. For overseas students, whether they choose online or offline learning will directly affect their study abroad experience. In addition, it may also accompany them to complete their study abroad plan in 2022.
Taking the UK as an example, at the beginning of the new semester, some universities under the Russell group are transferring courses to online courses. Regarding the laboratory courses and practical courses,they will try their best to maintain the existing offline teaching methods.
Japan has made huge efforts to support students who study abraod
At the end of November last year, Japan decided to stop foreigners from entering the country. As a result, the uncertain situation makes some foreign students give up their plans to study in Japan. Moreover, some students change their destinations.
For students who have already got an offer, online class has become a helpless move. The policy of going to Japan was subject to twists and turns. Some overseas students joked that they had become the longest online class among the whole group of overseas students. However, the students reported that for some highly practical subjects, online classes have limited functions and great limitations.
For students who want to attend Japanese language schools first, there may be more choices. Starting this year, for foreigners who want to study in Japan, the Japanese cultural bureau has decided to increase online teaching in Japanese language schools. The Japanese government will support language schools to produce online courses for free to foreign students. It is expected to be implemented in 400 language schools.
The popularization of study abroad is obvious
Self funded study abroad is the most important group in China, and the trend of popularization of study abroad is more obvious. The report points out that the subsidy from parents, relatives and friends is still the most important source of study abroad expenses for Chinese university graduates. Beyond that, the proportion of this source has shown a steady upward trend from 2013 to 2018, from 89% in 2013 to 94.2% in 2018. On the other hand, the proportion of students who depend on foreign universities or institutions to study abroad is declining year by year.
Chinese students have more diversified choices to study abroad. And they are looking at friendly policies on employment and immigration in the main destination countries. While making marketing plans for them, please remember to mention the right motives. Want to know more? Just contact Deep Digital China and we will be at your service.