International students eager to enroll in US higher education institutions (HEIs) for the fall 2021 semester are foiled by a series of roadblocks. These include the lack of commercial flights in China, visa processing delays in India, and overall confusion over vaccine guidelines. Some students have gone through great lengths to overcome these challenges such as chartering flights. HEIs anticipate that a majority of students will defer enrollment if they fail to get a visa or a flight on time.

International students planning to go to New Brunswick for the September 2021 intake are advised to get vaccine advisories from their higher education institutions (HEIs). The vaccine guidelines for each HEI vary, although students are expected to comply with federal requirements for self-isolation. Some HEIs are preparing to provide support for students during their quarantine.

National Union of Students Scotland (NUS) President Matt Crilly expressed concerns over the anticipated arrival of international students and students under the age of 18 who may be unvaccinated or only partially vaccinated. He urged faster vaccination for students prior to the beginning of the September 2021 intake.The statements followed guidelines released by the Scottish government limiting the number of in-person attendance for courses, among other measures. Crilly proposes that the government waive quarantine fees and include international students to the national vaccination program.

Teachers are protesting the reopening of in-person instruction for English language schools in Ireland on July 19. Members of the Unite English Language Teacher’s Branch join students in expressing health and safety concerns as new COVID-19 cases of the Delta variant are on the rise. Progressive College Network head David Russell says the return to in-person teaching is premature. The Department of Education said that the reopening applies only to students who are already in the country and that providers may choose to continue with online only or hybrid learning methods.

The government has agreed to a temporary lifting of the limit to the number of hours that international students can work in supermarkets and associated facilities in New South Wales and Victoria. The decision follows a request from the sector to prevent staff shortages due to the pandemic. Student visa holders will take the place of those that are in isolation and may now work more than 40 hours a week. A similar measure has been put in place since June for the Aged and Disability Care, agriculture, tourism, and hospitality sectors across the country.

International students in the US can avoid becoming victims of targeted scams through awareness. Adria L. Baker of Rice University in Texas states there has been a significant increase in scams targeting student visa holders, particularly those in the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program. Baker warns that scammers use faculty members’ names to offer fake jobs in exchange for money. Some threaten the students with the loss of their visas. Baker urges students to know the common scams, guard their personal data, and report anything suspicious.

Some US Lawmakers found that more Indian students and graduates are turning to Canada for study and work opportunities. They attribute the latest trend to the outdated H-1B visa policy of the United States as well as the per-country quota on issuing the employment-based green card or permanent residency. This downturn is urging Congress to act fast to prevent Indian talents from moving to Canada from the United States. Based on the study findings of the National Foundation for American Policy, without Congressional action, the total backlog for all three employment-based categories for Indians would increase to over two million individuals by 2030.

India has conveyed its concerns to the Canadian government regarding the hurdles that more than 33,000 Indian students are facing in their bid to reach Canada in time for the new semester. While Canadian commissions in India have given Indian students priority, it appears that the visa processing could drag until September or later. To resolve the issue, India is asking Canada to provide additional visa appointments in July and August to clear the study permit backlog. There is also a request for universities to extend their deadlines or take into consideration the delay in getting a study permit for reasons beyond the control of the students.

Speaking at the 2021 Hwa Chong Asia-Pacific Young Leaders Summit, Singapore’s President Halimah Yacob urged international students in the country to go beyond their social bubbles to build deep and meaningful relationships with people from different communities. She also encouraged foreign learners to be more open to other cultures, discard stereotypes, and drop prejudices. The four-day-long virtual summit was attended by students from various countries such as China, Finland, and Indonesia.

The plight of foreign residents barred from entering Japan, including international students, have come under the spotlight as some 11,000 international athletes from more than 200 countries head to Japan for the delayed Olympics. More than 500 academicians from Japanese institutions faxed a letter to Justice Minister Yoko Kamikawa demanding more transparency regarding border control measures for foreign students. They have urged the ministry to reopen applications for long-term visa holders as well as their family members.

The Taiwan Higher Education Union is urging the government to extend eligibility for the education ministry’s COVID-19 relief programs to foreign students. This is in view of the Ministry of Education’s “Relief 4.0” package. Under the plan, students financially affected by the pandemic can receive emergency student grants and rent subsidies for off-campus housing. However, the relief program is limited to Taiwanese students. University lecturers are calling for foreign students to also be included in the relief package as many of them are financially struggling due to the pandemic.

During a bilateral meeting with the Australian High Commissioner David Holly, Sri Lanka Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena requested to consider the early facilitation of Sri Lankan students’ travel to Australia. Some Sri Lankan students are among those whose higher studies have been affected due to the ongoing COVID-19-related travel restrictions. Despite the delays, Sri Lanka recognizes the Australian Government’s current efforts to permit the return of international students while ensuring the safety of its citizens.

Located in Alberta, Canada, Lakeland began as an agricultural and vocational school in 1913 and has now evolved into a multidisciplinary college that offers a variety of programs from environmental sciences to interior design. With a wide selection of courses to choose from, Lakeland College aims to produce graduates who are responsive to the needs of industries and their communities. 

With two campuses, one in Vermillion and the other in Lloydminster, Lakeland College has the modern facilities and updated equipment needed to provide a well-rounded educational experience. The Lloydminster campus features a state-of-the-art computer lab, a high-tech demonstration site for nursing students, and a well-equipped Energy Centre for heavy oil and power engineering training.