In order to complete their school curriculum or enhance their CV, going abroad now appears as the safest accelerator of both life and career. To tackle the decline in student demographics and decrease in public funding, French grandes écoles are establishing more campuses outside France to attract new students. All the schools are facing the same challenge but are developing different strategies, believing that the most prestigious rankings are now global. However, exporting a nationally recognized education system to different parts of the world is not without obstacles, especially in a geopolitical context where visa policies have become a weapon. The expenses of setting up campuses in a highly competitive market are significant. Students dream of far and sometimes exotic horizons, as highlighted by the exclusive survey conducted by L’Express Connect partners. They take to heart Lamartine’s words: “There is no one more complete than the man who has traveled a lot, changing the shape of his thoughts and life twenty times.”
Some countries are increasing visa costs, such as Australia with fees reaching $2,000, and tightening entry requirements. For example, Canada plans to reduce study permits by 7% in 2026. In 2024, 41% of higher education establishments in the US, UK, and Canada witnessed a decrease in enrollments.
This trend has global repercussions, with shifts in dynamics observed in various regions. Asia has taken the lead, aiming to maintain its soft power by attracting new talents amidst declining birth rates. Japan has eased its visa procedures to welcome 400,000 foreigners by 2033, while South Korea saw 305,000 students arrive in 2025 under the “Study Korea 300K” program. The competition is equally active in countries like Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia, where attractivity policies are being implemented.
Argentina has emerged as the twelfth most welcoming country for international students, alongside other South American destinations that offer streamlined procedures and high-quality academic programs. The reshuffling of global university exchanges through state influence policies is ongoing, with potential further effects from conflicts in the Middle East.
