The Institute of International Education, IIE Survey has reported that a vast number of international students are returning to US universities and colleges this year. 

The survey reports that the rebound has not yet made up for the Covid-19 declines of 2020, as the ongoing pandemic is disrupting the academic exchange. 

According to the IIE survey results on November 15, the universities and colleges across the United States witnessed a 4% annual rise in international students in fall 2021. 

This has been increased after a 15% decrease that was seen last year, which was also the steepest decline since 1948. The sudden surge is far better than the forecast done by several US colleges over the summer when the Covid-19 virus spread. 

However, it highlights the continued obstacles and struggles faced by students including visa backlogs and reluctance of students to study abroad owing to the pandemic. 

According to the universities and US authorities, the uptick is hoped to be the starting point for a long-term rebound. Keeping in view that the international travel has commenced, the colleges are likely to get past their pre-pandemic enrolment levels. 

Matthew Lussenhop, an acting US assistant secretary of state, said that they are waiting for a surge considering the pandemic and this year’s increase is an indicator of the importance of US education and the international student's interest to pursue higher education in the US. 

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The data show that 70% of US colleges have witnessed an uptick in international enrolments this fall, in contrast, 20% of colleges saw declines and 10% colleges didn't see any change. 

It is based on an initial survey of more than 800 schools in the US. The sudden surge is due to the new overseas students willing to visit the US last year, but it was delayed to this year. 

Therefore, there was a 68% rise in the number of newly enrolled international students this year, with a dramatic increase when compared to last year’s decline of 46%.

Some of the US schools with big brands abroad, enrolments have rebounded past their pre-Covid figures. 

A majority of US schools have returned to physical learning this fall despite a few overseas students not coming to the campus. However, many US schools have opted for the online classes for study abroad since the offline classes were shifted to the online mode last year. 

The IIE Survey reported that out of the total international students enrolled at the US universities for this year, only 65% students were visiting the campus for in-person classes..