Swedish international students are hard hit by pandemic restrictions

For Elin Olausson and her Swedish friends who study at Santa Monica College in Los Angeles, USA, countries' different restrictions have created a great deal of uncertainty about what actually applies.

- At first they said that international students needed to go home, but a week later they said that we had to stay. At the same time, the school says that we should not travel anywhere, because it is not certain that we can enter the country again, says Elin Olausson.

She usually goes home in the summer. Both to meet family and friends, but also to work together extra money, something that has become important given the high costs in the country.

- One's security is not there now. We are used to being able to go home if we want to, but since we do not have that choice, it causes stress, she says.

During the academic year 2019/2020, more than 24,365 Swedes studied abroad with study grants from CSN. Most are in the UK, USA, Australia and Spain.

- We have received many questions from students who are worried about their degree and whether the education will be possible to complete. There are several who have interrupted their studies, says Joakim Strömberg investigator at CSN.

At the same time as Elin Olausson cannot get to Sweden, Vendela Andersson from Gävle has problems getting into the USA.

On a daily basis, she plays football at an elite level in division 1. She has now been offered a football scholarship to a university in the USA.

- I think it is a unique opportunity to study and play football in the USA. It is a journey I have wanted to make for a very long time, she says.

According to the rules that apply to student athletes, she needs to be there during the coming academic year if she is to play in the team. However, as the US Embassy has severely limited the opportunities for new students, her concerns have grown.

- I would have accepted the situation if the borders were closed. But if they still let others in, I think we who do not have a visa should also get a chance, she says. 

How it will be in the autumn is still unclear, and according to preliminary figures from CSN, the number of Swedish international students is expected to fall by just over 40 percent.