The Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on International Students

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on international students. This study was conducted with the qualitative case study method, based on the experiences of an international student. The research found that with the declaration of the pandemic, some international students were besieged in their host countries; they were confronted with difficulties in returning to their homes, and their education and apprenticeships were interrupted. Students who could not return to their home country went through intense stress and anxiety in terms of accommodation, having access to food, financial resources, and medical supplies. This experience has caused international students to become more skeptical about continuing with mobility and has caused candidate international students to change their countries of preference. On the other hand, this does not appear to be the case for countries and universities that successfully managed the pandemic and did not spare their support for international students. Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic, higher education, international education, international student mobility