Highlights and Hurdles at Asia Exchange in 2022
2022 has been a remarkable year for many. The entire world opened again, and the covid pandemic ended in most corners of the world. With the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, international travel resumed, travel restrictions got lifted, public events and facilities re-opened for in-person use, and so did education worldwide. The Asia Exchange team reflects on this turbulent year, full of life-changing experiences for our students, our organization, and the education sector.
From survival to expanding to new horizons
The COVID-19 pandemic strongly impacted our organization, and we adapted to these strange times like every individual and organization worldwide. However, contrary to most, in order to tackle the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, we decided to turn the challenges we faced into new opportunities. We expanded into new markets, increased the range of programs and destinations available, scaled up services tremendously, and led the industry in revolutionizing international student mobility.
Many things changed during the pandemic, and we learned that some changes added significant benefits to our student experience. We will continue to look forward and can now, with personal experience, say that sometimes taking a step backward can lead to many steps taken forward.
The innovations and improvements from the pandemic will stay, including the industry’s most student-oriented terms and conditions, the latest possible application deadlines with the most effortless application process, multi-destination applications, and our end-to-end admission process in as early as 24 hours.
Student mobility came back to life in 2022!
The pandemic ended as quickly as it came, and borders opened as quickly as they were closed. In 2022, 21 of our 22 host universities reopened their doors for international students, and studies resumed on campus. This year was the year that all of us have been waiting for, and our students were thrilled to finally experience what it means to be an Asia Exchange student. The euphoria of students worldwide to finally be able to study abroad in their desired destinations was reflected in the exchange student numbers of Asia Exchange in 2022. Consequently, 2022 was not only a year of euphoria but also a year of records. We have sent more than 1000 students abroad, coming from 37 different countries and six different continents. Our largest student groups decided to visit Seoul in Korea, Bali in Indonesia, and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.
Read more student stories about their study abroad experience here!
“During my exchange in Seoul, South Korea, I experienced a different culture and way of thinking, which was challenging at times, but in the best way possible. I met two of my closest friends in Korea, and we have been in touch and visiting each other ever since. Meeting them was definitely one of the best things that happened that year.”
Giulia from Germany, studying at HUFS
The most innovative and intriguing study programs in 2022
At Asia Exchange, we believe curiosity is the key to growth. During the pandemic, we launched the “Beyond Abroad” initiative and left our comfort zone in east Asia. Today our program offering spans over 15 countries on 3 continents with 22 partner universities, thanks to the launch of Beyond Abroad. Part of this strategy is to offer the most innovative and intriguing study programs for all our students. We continued to work on student-oriented programs that are adjusted to modern needs, like the exchange hubs. Our newest additions are the “eCampus” and “Around the World” study programs.
Goodbye Exchange Hubs
During the pandemic, we introduced “Exchange Hubs,” which enabled all our students affected by travel restrictions to complete courses at their chosen host university remotely while traveling to one of our other open destinations to experience a different country and culture. A big thank you for this goes out to our partner universities, who showed flexibility in accommodating our students on their campuses. The pandemic is over, and with it, our Exchange Hubs in Thailand and Portugal are no more. One aspect, however, saw massive development during the pandemic and has come to stay. The digitalization of teaching and learning now allows students to learn regardless of place and time. Therefore, we further developed the Exchange Hub concept and are excited to offer something huge from 2023 onwards. “Psst” did someone hear “Tokyo”?
eCampus and eCampus Tokyo
Asia Exchange’s eCampus is a distance learning solution to give you the freedom of where students want to be while studying abroad. Students can join all courses at the eCampus independently of place and time, giving students the ultimate flexibility to combine their study abroad experience with various academic courses at Undiknas University. The inspiring and modern lectures at the eCampus can also be optional extensions to one of our regular study abroad programs.
Furthermore, it enables our students to study in one of the most popular study-abroad destinations in Asia – Japan! With the eCampus Tokyo, students can choose from various distance learning courses taught by Undiknas University. Furthermore, they can study at the No 1. coworking space in Japan, BLINK, located in Roppongi, in the heart of Tokyo.
Tokyo is one of the biggest cities in the world and is ranked as one of the best places to live. As one of the most captivating metropolises in the world, Tokyo features attractions such as futuristic skyscrapers, state-of-the-art technology, a fantastic food scene, unique culture, modern fashion, and a high level of public safety. Students can immerse themselves in Japanese culture and business and enjoy the incredible benefits of distance learning.
Around The World Program
The Around the world program is a one-of-a-kind study abroad program that redefines international student mobility. Instead of a traditional study abroad semester, you will have the chance to get the most remarkable experience possible.
By studying in two top private universities in Latin America and Indonesia, students will immerse themselves in two of the most spoken languages in the world, experience two different cultures, and attend courses in business, marketing, and entrepreneurship. We believe these types of programs will help decrease political polarization around the world. After all, going abroad not only teaches you about someone’s culture but also about yourself.
We finally connected in person again in 2022
With the world open, 2022 has been a year of expansion in partnerships and student interaction. The Asia Exchange team has attended a record amount of fairs. We met have met more universities and their students than ever before. We have attended over 40 international days in Germany and met with hundreds of universities at EAIE in Barcelona. Moreover, we have expanded our sending market. For example, we expanded 30% in France during the past year, creating new partnerships to enable more life-changing experiences abroad. Additionally, we joined the Businet network. Thus, we became part of a family that breathes creativity and collaboration to internationalize higher education further.
The one common theme among students and university professionals has been the joy of new international opportunities. After being stuck at home and having limited interaction with friends and family, everyone is looking for face-to-face interaction and on-site programs. What was the norm in 2019 now feels like a breath of fresh air for the whole industry. The digitalization of higher education has taken internationalization to new dimensions during the pandemic. Still, the feedback we have received from both students and professionals is: nothing can replace the learning a physical mobility period can provide.
“If you are looking to have a selection of good schools to send your students to with courses preselected and in line with your academic disciplines, then I highly recommend Asia Exchange. They are continuously looking to expand their network not only in Asia but also in Europe.”
Susan, Exchange coordinator for a French university
Asia Exchange’s outlook for 2023
The Asia Exchange snowball started rolling again in 2022. With our new programs, new partner universities, and new connections around the world, we will be looking to keep that snowball growing for the upcoming year!
The record numbers of 2022 built the foundation for 2023. This year, we aim to send more than 1500 students abroad. Our team grew by 30% in 2022, with six new team members joining. We leveraged the available technologies to ensure that even with much larger student groups, we remain the fastest and most convenient-to-use study abroad organization globally. Spirits are high worldwide, and we are excited about the opportunities and growth 2023 has in store for us.
Do you want to know more about studying abroad in exotic places?
Asia Exchange is a Finnish company providing study abroad opportunities in Asia Pacific for students worldwide. Want to get travel tips and new blog posts straight to your inbox? Subscribe to ourmonthly newsletter!If you have any questions about studyingabroad, feel free tocontact us!We’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
