In the autumn of 2019, 429 exchange students came to Linnaeus University.
This autumn, only 201 will arrive.
- The reason for the decrease is the pandemic.
This is reasonable in view of the risk of infection control and travel restrictions, says Peter Citron.
The number of Swedish students who go on exchanges to other countries has also fallen, 51 percent fewer this autumn compared with the autumn of 2019. However, the figures are preliminary as all students have not yet been admitted to universities abroad.
- There are many who have planned for a long time to go.
We hope that most of them do not have to cancel their exchange completely but can postpone it instead, says Peter Citron.
Fewer exchange students throughout the country
The reduction in student exchanges is noticeable at colleges and universities throughout the country.
SVT Nyheter's survey shows that 63 percent fewer exchange students will come to Sweden this autumn compared with the autumn of 2019. Swedish students who went on exchanges to other countries have fallen by as much as 75 percent.
Linnaeus University has continuous contact with its partner universities around the world, but despite the fact that they are planning for an increased exchange in the spring, the situation for the exchange students is uncertain.
- We see that the spread of infection is increasing in the world and in Sweden.
It is a fragile balance right now as for so many others in society, says Peter Citron.