In May, Grand Valley State University in Michigan in the US, an institution with more than 22,000 students, revealed that increasing numbers of its students were again opting to do a semester or more abroad in the post-Covid world.
While it is just a snapshot, figures released in a statement showed that more than 110 of the university's students were preparing to study abroad, compared with fewer than 40 who completed international programmes last year.
“We are very excited to see study abroad programming resume in many parts of the world,” Rebecca Morrissey, the university’s director of study abroad and international partnerships, said in the statement.
Mirroring this, some countries are reporting that incoming foreign student numbers are rising again after a pandemic-induced downturn.
Sweden, for example, is experiencing some growth, according to Dr Per Nilsson, a member of The Association of Swedish Higher Education Institutions’ internationalisation group who works at Umea University.
“Covid had a big impact on exchange students coming for one semester,” Dr Nilsson said. “During Covid we lost about 50 per cent of all incoming exchange students, but it’s picking up. It’s also about building confidence that everything is working, it’s back to normal.”
Although numbers are increasing, Dr Nilsson expects “it will take several years” before they return to previous levels.
“There could be students looking to come back, but for some reason they hesitate,” he said.
The picture varies considerably from country to country.
The UAE invests heavily in sending students abroad to study, with widely reported figures indicating that numbers total about 15,000 a year.
One study published in May 2022 indicated that the pandemic had caused a fall of 11 per cent to 14 per cent in the number of international students applying to study in the UK, one of the top five international education destinations in terms of student numbers, mostly because fewer people from higher income countries were applying.
Figures from the UK Higher Education Statistics Agency indicate that there was a slight increase in enrolments of international students in the 2020-2021 academic year, although many were studying online.
Applications for the 2022-2023 academic year to the UK are down from EU countries, according to Dr Senthil Nathan, co-founder and managing director of Edu Alliance, a higher education consultancy in Abu Dhabi and Bloomington, Indiana, US, although Brexit is blamed for this.
Many UK universities, Dr Nathan said, are reporting “significant increases” in applications from elsewhere, with numbers from China rebounding, and increases reported from India, Nigeria and other countries.
Ann Starkie, who runs AS Careers, a consultancy in the UK, has seen a similar picture regarding international students coming to the UK.
“It was affected and it’s coming back up and getting back to normal,” she said.
Canada, another top-five country, has seen its share of the international higher education market grow during the pandemic, possibly because of the “strongly articulated support from the political leadership for their international students”, Dr Nathan said.
He contrasted this with Australia, also a top-five higher education destination, where senior politicians created a “negative climate” towards international students during the pandemic.
With two successive drops of nearly a quarter in its annual enrolment of overseas students in higher education in 2020 and 2021, Australia’s rebuild in numbers “is likely to also take time”.
“Australia will need to rebuild trust with prospective international students,” said Dr Nathan, who is a former deputy vice chancellor at the UAE's Higher Colleges of Technology.
The US, the biggest market for international higher education, experienced at 45.6 per cent drop in the number of new international student enrolments between 2019-2020 and 2020-2021, but numbers have since gone up, with one report suggesting they had increased 68 per cent in a year.
“All evidence points to renewed interest for students to go abroad for higher education,” Dr Nathan said. “In the US, the Institute of International Education in 2021 surveyed US universities and nearly 50 per cent of the institutions planned on in-person study abroad for the fall [autumn].
“Our university contacts have stated this number of students studying overseas is continuing to increase for the upcoming fall [autumn] 2022 term.”
Universities and private-sector student accommodation providers rely heavily on international students, and these institutions and companies, after many years of revenue increases, were hit hard by the pandemic and continue to experience difficulties.
In the US, university revenues fell by an estimated $10 billion because of the drop in international student numbers.
Institutions want to attract international students again, but the enthusiasm that young people have for going abroad varies greatly. The two biggest countries for sending students abroad, China and India, provide contrasting pictures.
Interest from Indian students in going overseas is “returning to its peak”, according to Dr Nathan, but Chinese students, whose government has taken a cautious approach about opening up, are not travelling abroad for education in numbers as large as before.
India could, Dr Nathan suggested, overtake China as the top country for sending students abroad, while institutions are becoming increasingly interested in other markets, such as Brazil, Indonesia, Nigeria and Pakistan.
Just as Covid-19 has changed how people work, with remote employment and working from home now a normal part of life for many, so remote international education may have become more established.
In a recent book chapter, “Swedish Students’ Outbound Mobility: An Estimate of the Post-Covid-19 Situation”, Dr Nilsson wrote that Covid-19 appeared to be “reshaping the concept of studying abroad” by opening up opportunities for virtual cross-border education.
So while some students are cautious about travelling abroad, the pandemic may have created new ways to experience, albeit remotely, international education.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
RESULTS
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Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
Racecard
6.30pm: The Madjani Stakes (PA) Group 3 Dh175,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,400m
7.40pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,600m
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh190,000 (D) 1,200m
8.50pm: Dubai Creek Mile (TB) Listed Dh265,000 (D) 1,600m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) Dh190,000 (D) 1,600m
The National selections
6.30pm: Chaddad
7.05pm: Down On Da Bayou
7.40pm: Mass Media
8.15pm: Rafal
8.50pm: Yulong Warrior
9.25pm: Chiefdom
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Villains
Queens of the Stone Age
Matador
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20NOTHING%20PHONE%20(2)
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The specs
BMW M8 Competition Coupe
Engine 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8
Power 625hp at 6,000rpm
Torque 750Nm from 1,800-5,800rpm
Gearbox Eight-speed paddleshift auto
Acceleration 0-100kph in 3.2 sec
Top speed 305kph
Fuel economy, combined 10.6L / 100km
Price from Dh700,000 (estimate)
On sale Jan/Feb 2020
MATCH INFO
Manchester United 6 (McTominay 2', 3'; Fernandes 20', 70' pen; Lindelof 37'; James 65')
Leeds United 2 (Cooper 41'; Dallas 73')
Man of the match: Scott McTominay (Manchester United)
FINAL LEADERBOARD
1. Jordan Spieth (USA) 65 69 65 69 - 12-under-par
2. Matt Kuchar (USA) 65 71 66 69 - 9-under
3. Li Haotong (CHN) 69 73 69 63 - 6-under
T4. Rory McIlroy (NIR) 71 68 69 67 - 5-under
T4. Rafael Cabrera-Bello (ESP) 67 73 67 68 - 5-under
T6. Marc Leishman (AUS) 69 76 66 65 - 4-under
T6. Matthew Southgate (ENG) 72 72 67 65 - 4-under
T6. Brooks Koepka (USA) 65 72 68 71 - 4-under
T6. Branden Grace (RSA) 70 74 62 70 - 4-under
T6. Alexander Noren (SWE) 68 72 69 67 - 4-under
THE BIO
Favourite place to go to in the UAE: The desert sand dunes, just after some rain
Who inspires you: Anybody with new and smart ideas, challenging questions, an open mind and a positive attitude
Where would you like to retire: Most probably in my home country, Hungary, but with frequent returns to the UAE
Favorite book: A book by Transilvanian author, Albert Wass, entitled ‘Sword and Reap’ (Kard es Kasza) - not really known internationally
Favourite subjects in school: Mathematics and science
UAE jiu-jitsu squad
Men: Hamad Nawad and Khalid Al Balushi (56kg), Omar Al Fadhli and Saeed Al Mazroui (62kg), Taleb Al Kirbi and Humaid Al Kaabi (69kg), Mohammed Al Qubaisi and Saud Al Hammadi (70kg), Khalfan Belhol and Mohammad Haitham Radhi (85kg), Faisal Al Ketbi and Zayed Al Kaabi (94kg)
Women: Wadima Al Yafei and Mahra Al Hanaei (49kg), Bashayer Al Matrooshi and Hessa Al Shamsi (62kg)
EA Sports FC 26
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3/5
The Penguin
Starring: Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz
Creator: Lauren LeFranc
Rating: 4/5
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre 6-cyl turbo
Power: 435hp at 5,900rpm
Torque: 520Nm at 1,800-5,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Price: from Dh498,542
On sale: now
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
How has net migration to UK changed?
The figure was broadly flat immediately before the Covid-19 pandemic, standing at 216,000 in the year to June 2018 and 224,000 in the year to June 2019.
It then dropped to an estimated 111,000 in the year to June 2020 when restrictions introduced during the pandemic limited travel and movement.
The total rose to 254,000 in the year to June 2021, followed by steep jumps to 634,000 in the year to June 2022 and 906,000 in the year to June 2023.
The latest available figure of 728,000 for the 12 months to June 2024 suggests levels are starting to decrease.
Countries recognising Palestine
France, UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Belgium, Malta, Luxembourg, San Marino and Andorra
Remaining fixtures
Third-place-play-off: Portugal v Mexico, 4pm on Sunday
Final: Chile v Germany, 10pm on Sunday
No more lice
Defining head lice
Pediculus humanus capitis are tiny wingless insects that feed on blood from the human scalp. The adult head louse is up to 3mm long, has six legs, and is tan to greyish-white in colour. The female lives up to four weeks and, once mature, can lay up to 10 eggs per day. These tiny nits firmly attach to the base of the hair shaft, get incubated by body heat and hatch in eight days or so.
Identifying lice
Lice can be identified by itching or a tickling sensation of something moving within the hair. One can confirm that a person has lice by looking closely through the hair and scalp for nits, nymphs or lice. Head lice are most frequently located behind the ears and near the neckline.
Treating lice at home
Head lice must be treated as soon as they are spotted. Start by checking everyone in the family for them, then follow these steps. Remove and wash all clothing and bedding with hot water. Apply medicine according to the label instructions. If some live lice are still found eight to 12 hours after treatment, but are moving more slowly than before, do not re-treat. Comb dead and remaining live lice out of the hair using a fine-toothed comb.
After the initial treatment, check for, comb and remove nits and lice from hair every two to three days. Soak combs and brushes in hot water for 10 minutes.Vacuum the floor and furniture, particularly where the infested person sat or lay.
Courtesy Dr Vishal Rajmal Mehta, specialist paediatrics, RAK Hospital
A Bad Moms Christmas
Dir: John Lucas and Scott Moore
Starring: Mila Kunis, Kathryn Hahn, Kristen Bell, Susan Sarandon, Christine Baranski, Cheryl Hines
Two stars
ABU DHABI ORDER OF PLAY
Starting at 10am:
Daria Kasatkina v Qiang Wang
Veronika Kudermetova v Annet Kontaveit (10)
Maria Sakkari (9) v Anastasia Potapova
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova v Ons Jabeur (15)
Donna Vekic (16) v Bernarda Pera
Ekaterina Alexandrova v Zarina Diyas
What is type-1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a genetic and unavoidable condition, rather than the lifestyle-related type 2 diabetes.
It occurs mostly in people under 40 and a result of the pancreas failing to produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugars.
Too much or too little blood sugar can result in an attack where sufferers lose consciousness in serious cases.
Being overweight or obese increases the chances of developing the more common type 2 diabetes.
Her most famous song
Aghadan Alqak (Would I Ever Find You Again)?
Would I ever find you again
You, the heaven of my love, my yearning and madness;
You, the kiss to my soul, my cheer and
sadness?
Would your lights ever break the night of my eyes again?
Would I ever find you again?
This world is volume and you're the notion,
This world is night and you're the lifetime,
This world is eyes and you're the vision,
This world is sky and you're the moon time,
Have mercy on the heart that belongs to you.
Lyrics: Al Hadi Adam; Composer: Mohammed Abdel Wahab
ALRAWABI%20SCHOOL%20FOR%20GIRLS
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