Study Abroad Trends: Are Emerging Destinations Sustainable or Short-Lived?

Indian students exploring study abroad opportunities

The study abroad landscape is shifting fast. Beyond the US, UK, Canada & Australia, new destinations are rising — but is this a structural change or a temporary trend driven by visas & geopolitics?. In this article, Anant Rastogi (Senior Director, GMAC®) explores the real test: whether these markets can deliver sustainable student success, not just short-term buzz.

By. Anant Rastogi

After more than a decade in the Higher Ed space, I’ve never seen the study abroad conversation shift as rapidly as it is today. The world feels caught in the eye of a storm. Policy shifts, regulatory uncertainty, and geopolitical tensions are forcing students and institutions alike to reconsider their choices.

Much of the current buzz is around “emerging destinations” beyond the traditional Big Four (US, UK, Canada, Australia). But the real question is are we witnessing a structural change in the study abroad landscape, or just a temporary redistribution driven by today’s visa rules and geopolitical climate?

Some questions I find myself asking:

• Capacity: Do these new destinations have the physical infrastructure, student services, housing, faculty, visa processes, and career integration systems to absorb international students at scale?

  
  

• Intent vs. Outcome: Is student interest in these markets translating into actual enrolments and successful study outcomes? For those in the study abroad business, are your volumes growing proportionately to the interest being expressed?

In my view, unless new destinations deliver sustainable student success, this shift risks being short-lived. Capacity isn’t just about adding more seats it’s about the entire ecosystem- housing, integration support (academic, cultural, linguistic), visa and work pathways, internships, career services, rankings, and alumni networks. Without that, policy changes or marketing them as “international-friendly” may not be enough.

This is why destinations like the US or UK continue to hold sway. They’ve built these systems over decades. Most newer destinations are still catching up. And reversals do happen. With the right policy environment, established destinations can regain momentum quickly.

For study abroad aspirants, my advice is simple: the old rulebook no longer applies. Choosing a destination today goes beyond picking a program or school. You need to consider:

• Work permits and job markets: When evaluating work permits and job markets, remember that policies often vary by nationality. You need to be realistic. Your passport can shape your post-study opportunities as much as your degree.

  
  

• Language and cultural fit: Don’t just think of language as a classroom requirement. Look closely at the kind of job profiles you hope to pursue after graduation. Many countries, especially for client-facing or public-facing roles, require advanced proficiency in the local language. Even if your program is taught in English, your career opportunities may hinge on how well you adapt linguistically and culturally to the host country.

  
  

• Climate and living costs: The environment you live in will affect your wellbeing and your budget more than you think. Harsh climates or high costs of living can impact how easily you adapt, balance part-time work, or save money. A scholarship may offset tuition, but housing, transport, and healthcare in certain cities can still stretch finances considerably.

  
  

• Currency fluctuations: Exchange rate movements can significantly alter the “real cost” of your education. What looks affordable today may become challenging if your home currency weakens against the destination country. You should budget with buffers and plan for volatility, not just the published tuition and living costs.

  
  

• Geopolitical relations with your home country: Visa and immigration policies are not just shaped by global demand—they can also be influenced by how your home country is positioned geopolitically. Diplomatic relations matter. Students need to track whether their country enjoys favorable agreements or faces restrictions that could impact visas, work rights, or residency opportunities.

  
  

• The value of the degree back home, should you return: Ask yourself, If I return home, how will this program be valued by employers? The value or acceptance of a degree can differ dramatically across markets. Some programs may carry strong local recognition but limited global weight or vice versa. Think about whether the degree advances your career trajectory at home as much as abroad.

  
  

• Motivations for studying abroad: Be clear about why you want to study overseas. Motivations differ at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Don’t mix the two. For UG students, the decision often involves international exposure, cultural immersion, or developing independence, while PG students usually seek career advancement, specialization, settle abroad. Knowing your true driver will help you choose the right destination, program, and pathway.

Research, prepare yourself well, ask all these questions and I am sure the experts will be able to help you.

Meanwhile a promising long-term development in the Indian Higher Ed landscape is the emergence of international branch campuses. With foreign universities now allowed to establish campuses in India and offer degrees equivalent to local ones, this could reshape student mobility in meaningful ways. But the true test lies ahead. These campuses must prove themselves by delivering academic quality, enriching the student experience, and creating meaningful career pathways in India as well as migration opportunities abroad, rather than serving merely as alternate routes to study overseas.

Ultimately, what rarely changes is the intent to study abroad. What changes is the political climate. The real test of these new destinations will be whether students can study, graduate, and build sustainable careers there. Until then, it’s important to look beyond the hype, ask tough questions, and take a long-term view.

About the Author

Anant Rastogi

Senior Director, Demand Generation, Marketing Analytics and Operations

Graduate Management Admission Council® (GMAC®)

Anant is an accomplished global marketing professional, boasting an extensive legacy of over 25 years of industry expertise, from being the co-founding member of the GMAC India team to propelling growth and performance marketing on a global scale. He has held prominent senior leadership positions in top multinational organizations, leading the marketing function across diverse sectors such as Education, Real Estate, Interior Infrastructure, and Staffing.

Anant is a well-respected name in the Higher Education sector, having led the marketing function for GMAC for over a decade across South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Currently, Anant spearheads GMAC's worldwide growth and performance marketing endeavours, orchestrating impactful customer acquisition, engagement, and conversion strategies for its range of products and services like the GMAT and NMAT exams, GMAC Tours, Advancery across diverse B2C and B2B channels. Anant is an accomplished executive alumnus of the Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta. His academic credentials include a Masters Certificate in Business Leadership and Management from Michigan State University’s Eli Broad College of Business and an MBA in Marketing from Apeejay School of Management, New Delhi.