The United States intends to welcome international students back for in-person classes in the fall of 2021

The Covid-19 pandemic severely affected the education sector, the condition left thousands of international students completely helpless and clueless as they were told to return to their home countries and many were left stranded in a foreign land for months without any clarity as to when they will be able to enjoy the normal study life.

However, now that vaccination campaigns are being carried out successfully throughout the world, some countries are intending to invite international students back to university campuses for in person classes.

Admissions in US educational institutes for Fall 2021

According to a recent study conducted by the Institute of International Education (IIE), the higher educational institutions in the United States are all set to welcome international students back to the university campuses.

The survey examined the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on international enrollments in US institutes and has highlighted that the main focus right now is to bring the students back to campus for in person classes for the academic year of 2021-22.

Around 90% of US institutes have decided to offer in-person classes to international students for the fall 2021 semester, with no plans for virtual classes. Around  43 percent of institutes report an increase in international enrollments for the academic year 2021-22, unlike last year when the percentage of international enrollments declined sharply due to Covid-19 restrictions and border closures.

Compulsion of Vaccination for On Campus classes

To ensure the safety of students and teachers, about 64% of institutions intend to give Covid-19 vaccination to international students, faculty members, and other university employees.

However, the majority of institutes have not made vaccines mandatory for students, as 55%  colleges and universities are still contemplating whether vaccines should be required or not. Right now in United States only 14% of educational institutions require international students to be fully vaccinated before attending on-campus sessions.

Recovery in International enrollments

Mirka Martel, IIE’s head of research said that “Universities are prepping for a strong recovery in international education enrolment as they emerge from the pandemic, “We anticipate the recovery to come in phases, tied to vaccinations and travel guidelines. But there is definitely a concerted effort by US higher education institutions to re-open their campuses and encourage all students, including international students, to return to in-person study.”

“At the same time, variable vaccination rates worldwide and the recent outbreaks in India, Latin America and other locations remind us that institutions will continue to grapple with COVID-19 in promoting a return to in-person study for international students from those regions.

“While institutions are beginning to restart in-person study abroad opportunities for US students, colleges and universities are taking a cautious approach given the uncertainties of global travel at this point in time.” she added.

IIE has been constantly reporting about the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on international educational exchange to and from the United States.