This Week in Study Abroad (TWISA) Vol. 8:
This Week in Study Abroad (TWISA) is a weekly read on what current and prospective international students should be paying attention to, powered by Radius.
Vol. 08 · June 2nd-June 9th, 2026
TOP STORIES FROM ACROSS GLOBE
-
US judge strikes down Trump policies targeting immigrants from 39 countries
-
Global Demand for Hospitality Degree in Switzerland skyrockets
-
UK Moves to Ban Universities with high dropout rate
-
USA moves to halt visa processing in 30 African countries
-
Dubai to Launch ‘Smart Medical Visa’ Under GDRFA–DHA Agreement
USA
A federal judge on Friday ruled that the U.S. President Donald Trump's administration had adopted a series of unlawful policies that have barred people from 39 countries from receiving decisions on applications for asylum, work permits, green cards and citizenship.
Chief U.S. District Judge John McConnell in Providence, Rhode Island struck down a slate of policies that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services had adopted that he said left people from dozens of African, Asian, Latin American and Middle Eastern countries in "indeterminate legal limbo.
Source; Reuters.com
SWITZERLAND
For decades, Switzerland's hospitality schools have occupied a unique place in international education. As global tourism rebounds after the pandemic and countries from Saudi Arabia to Indonesia invest heavily in hospitality infrastructure, Swiss hospitality education is finding itself at the centre of a rapidly evolving global industry.
The appeal of Switzerland extends beyond academic programs. Institutional leaders say perceptions of stability and security have become increasingly important factors for students and families.
Source: PIE News
UK
The UK government has reiterated that universities risk having their sponsor license revoked if they do not keep within new compliance requirements.
Institutions that admit those hoping to “game the system” will fall foul of a revamped compliance system designed to deter non-genuine international students according to the Home Office. Its latest statement comes amid a wider crackdown on visa abuse among international students coming to the UK, with universities now having to comply with more stringent compliance requirements.
Source; The Pie NEWS
USA
In its latest retreat from the world’s fastest growing continent, the US is set to close nearly 30 embassies across Africa.
This means consulates in non-hub countries will have limited services and will not be authorised to grant US visas. Individuals will need to travel to one of the 20 sites, incurring travel costs and challenges. For Nigerians, Visas will only be granted in its Lagos Consulate, For Ghana, Accra Consulate still stands.
Source; Africa Business Insider
UAE
Dubai has moved a step closer to integrating immigration and healthcare services after the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs-Dubai (GDRFA) and the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 2 June 2026.
The accord paves the way for a fully digital “smart medical visa” that will link visa issuance, residency records, insurance information and hospital bookings in a single workflow. Under the plan, licensed hospitals in the DXH (Dubai Health Experience) network will be able to lodge visa sponsorship requests directly from their patient-management systems.
Source; Visa HQ News
What to do this week;
Based on this week's developments, here is exactly what a prospective international student should be doing right now:
1. Considering Switzerland? Getting a hospitality degree in Switzerland might just be your big launch into a global in-demand career. What’s even better? A safe and hassle free country to study in. Start researching and applying today.
2. Before paying any deposit to the UK, verify your institution holds a valid Student Route sponsor licence on the official Home Office register. Your visa security is tied to your school's standing.
3. African students going to the US: Check whether your nearest consulate is still processing visas. If it's not on the hub list, identify your new processing city, factor in travel costs, and start your application earlier than planned.
4. Don't sit on a pending application. If you've been admitted to the USA, book your visa interview now. If you're still deciding, reassess whether your timeline still holds under the new access structure.
5. Monitor the official rollout of the Dubai GDRFA–DHA smart visa system. If you're considering UAE-based programmes or institutions in the DXH network, early movers on streamlined processes almost always benefit most.
IN SUMMARY;
If there's one thing this week's headlines confirm, it's that the global study abroad landscape has never been more alive. Borders are being redrawn, not on maps, but in policy memos, courtrooms, and government portals. Some doors are opening on schedule. Others are quietly narrowing. And at least one is currently being fought over in real time; a federal judge just pushed back on the US administration's visa restrictions, a reminder that policy isn't always final until it actually is. For the student paying attention, this is an opportunity hiding inside chaos. For the one who isn't, it's a missed flight they didn't know they'd booked. This week, staying informed isn't just good advice, it's the only strategy that helps you navigate your study-abroad goals.
We'll be back next Tuesday. Until then, your only job is to act on what you've just read
Regards,
The Radius Team
