{"id":59296,"date":"2021-09-10T16:23:46","date_gmt":"2021-09-10T20:23:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/world.edu\/?p=59296"},"modified":"2021-09-10T16:23:46","modified_gmt":"2021-09-10T20:23:46","slug":"australia-can-rebound-to-be-international-students-destination-of-choice-when-borders-reopen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/world.edu\/australia-can-rebound-to-be-international-students-destination-of-choice-when-borders-reopen\/","title":{"rendered":"Australia can rebound to be international students\u2019 destination of choice when borders reopen"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\nThe COVID-19 pandemic is changing the face of international higher education. The sector, previously dominated by the US, UK and Australia, is\u00a0losing billions<\/a>\u00a0to\u00a0falling international student enrolments<\/a>. However, our research identifies a golden opportunity for Australia to rebound as a top international study destination \u2013 but that depends on an urgent and proactive response to the pandemic\u2019s challenges.<\/p>\n

Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg\u00a0said<\/a>\u00a0this week achieving 70% and 80% vaccination targets for Australia would create a \u201creal opportunity\u201d by allowing borders to reopen to international students. \u201cIt means a lot to our economy, it means a lot to our universities,\u201d he said. The sector was worth an estimated\u00a0A$40 billion<\/a>\u00a0to the economy, including about\u00a0$10 billion<\/a> in university fee revenue, but has shrunk during the pandemic.
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Commonwealth Department of Education, Skills and Employment
<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n

Students still want to study abroad. The countries that respond best to the pandemic can gain competitive advantage and capture major shares of this lucrative global market. The key to seizing this opportunity is understanding COVID-19\u2019s impact on international students and their changing needs, and moving swiftly to meet these needs.<\/p>\n

For our\u00a0recently published research<\/a>\u00a0we investigated COVID-19\u2019s impact on international students. This was conducted in the second half of 2020 with international students in the Asia Pacific College of Business and Law at Charles Darwin University. CDU is the only university to have\u00a0brought international students into Australia<\/a>\u00a0since the pandemic began.<\/p>\n

What did the study reveal?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Our online survey revealed favourable ratings of the Australian government\u2019s and the university\u2019s pandemic responses. Both CDU and the government performed well in supporting student well-being, promoting hygiene and social distancing, and effective communication.<\/p>\n

However, international students needed more financial assistance. Many lost their local jobs, as well as financial support from their home countries. This caused stress and mental health issues.<\/p>\n

In-depth interviews with international students revealed the criteria they used for choosing their study destination were in a state of flux. New pandemic-related priorities include country infection and vaccination rates, border closures and diplomatic relations, as well as support interventions. These interventions are designed to help students continue their studies and deal with the impacts of COVID-19.<\/p>\n

For example, like many Australian universities, CDU has intermittently switched to online teaching when required due to lockdowns, as well as promoting student hygiene. Among other things, it has also provided:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • free counselling and financial aid including grants of up to $2,000 for those in financial hardship<\/li>\n
  • groceries and meals to students who lost their jobs<\/li>\n
  • assistance with fees<\/li>\n
  • payment instalment options.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    The students thought Australia had managed COVID-19 well compared to other countries. They also recommended CDU and Australia to friends whose studies had been disrupted in the US and UK.<\/p>\n

    Hopes of return put on hold<\/strong><\/h4>\n

    In November 2020 a CDU charter flight brought international students to Australia for the first (and only) time since the pandemic began. They arrived safely without any COVID-19 incidents via the Howard Springs quarantine facility (also known locally as Corona Springs).<\/p>\n

    These students were \u201cvery satisfied\u201d and relieved they could continue their studies in Australia despite COVID-19. As one student said:
    \n\u201cThis historical success absolutely gives international students confidence.\u201d<\/em>
    \nAustralia\u2019s COVID-19 response and the international student arrivals last November gave hope to the whole Australian higher education sector. However, the promising initial response has\u00a0    stalled in 2021<\/a>.
    \n