Page 21 - StudyTravel Magazine November/December 2021 Issue

SECONDARY FOCUS

from running short-term sum-
mer programmes in 2021. She
comments, “This year, we have
had the opportunity to reopen with
many day programme off er-
ings. That said, we were
mindful that the 14-day
mandatory quarantine
would discourage
many of our inter-
national students
looking to come
for short-term
programmes. As
such, we decided
to take a year to
improve our sum-
mer programmes
and be fully prepared
to open back up to
international students Photos: Ridley College
in 2022, bigger and better
than ever before.”

Looking ahead
Partnerships and
Some schools have received more progress
support than others during the global
pandemic, yet with more borders As with any sector in the international Clara at Sprachcaff e notes, “Our
reopening and in-person teaching education industry, cooperation agencies are the lifeblood of our com-
becoming increasingly viable, many between schools and study travel pany. We are always there to support,
are optimistic about business in 2022. agents has been key to the survival of advise and inform them of the latest
Anna explains, “Throughout the the short-stay secondary sector. updates regarding courses, destina-
pandemic, the Canadian government Remco at Scarborough College tions, and requirements.”
has demonstrated its support for notes that the value of the school’s Sam at Bath Academy says the
international students. Study Per- relationships with study travel agents relationships the school has devel-
mits are now being processed in nine this year, and throughout the pan- oped with agents around the world
weeks or less and students with valid demic in general, is “actually quite have been vital throughout the
permits and visas are welcome to diffi cult to put into words”. pandemic. He relates, “Also, Bath
enter Canada.” He says, “Over the past two years, Academy has adapted the admis-
Recent changes to restrictions in I have spoken to partners who have sions procedure to meet the needs of
the UK include the government “lifting lost their jobs, their colleagues, their our partners, allowing us to provide
restrictions on under-18 full-time entire livelihoods and their busi- bespoke and fl exible courses for
boarding students travelling on a nesses, so some of the conversations students if required.”
student visa or child student visa”, we’ve had have been less about ‘Hey, “We always work closely with our
notes Matt. have you got any students?’ and more international partners and highly
Clara comments, “The Sprachcaff e about ‘Hey, how’s it going?’” value our relationships with them,”
team is hopeful and optimistic for the “These two years have tested the off ers Anna at Ridley College. “The
upcoming season. Our 40 years of strength of our relationships. We’ve pandemic certainly left us isolated in
experience tell us that the students’ been able to show we’re in it for the our respective countries, and more
love for new adventures and knowl- long haul, paying commissions early than ever, our partners have helped
edge has not been weakened.” and showing and giving our support, us stay present in their markets and
joshua@studytravel.network even without attending events.” connected with their clients.”

18 STUDYTRAvEL MAGAzINE