If you had asked me five years ago who was doing exchange programs, I would have said: young people looking for learning and adventure. Today, my answer is very different. The profile of exchange students has changed. Motivation has changed. And so has the market.
After working with thousands of students at SEDA College and observing this transformation up close, I can say that exchange programs are no longer just an “extra” on a resume, but have become a real tool for personal, professional, and even family growth.
What has changed in the last 5 years?
1. Post-pandemic and the new value of experience
The pandemic was a turning point. With borders closed and education migrating to digital, many saw how fragile it is to rely solely on face-to-face learning and, at the same time, how human contact is missed.
As soon as the world reopened, exchange programs returned with a vengeance. But not with the same outlook as before. They began to be seen as an experience of reconnection, purpose, and real transformation.
2. Broadening of profiles and age groups
Today, it is not just young people aged 18 to 25 who are looking for international experiences. We welcome adults, families, people in career transition and even retirees.
Exchange programs have become more accessible, personalized and flexible, fitting into the lives of different profiles.
3. Education connected to career
In the past, studying English abroad was the end in itself. Today, it is just the beginning. People are looking for programs that connect the language with the job market, networking, entrepreneurship, global citizenship.
People no longer travel just for knowledge — they travel for positioning.
What do I see for the next 5 years?
1. Increasingly hybrid exchanges
The trend is for international experiences to combine the best of in-person with digital. Online preparatory courses, remote monitoring, mentoring, virtual internships.
Exchanges will be increasingly fluid, starting before departure and continuing after return.
2. Focus on global skills
Languages continue to be fundamental. But the focus of the exchange program goes beyond that: developing skills such as adaptability, critical thinking, intercultural communication and emotional intelligence.
Companies already value this. And this appreciation is only likely to grow.
3. Greater inclusion and accessibility
In the coming years, we will see more initiatives that democratize access to exchange programs. Scholarships, financing, institutional partnerships and shorter, more accessible formats should become part of the new reality.
International education will no longer be a privilege — it will be a viable option for those who plan strategically.
The world is more open and more demanding
Exchange programs have changed because the world has changed. And in the coming years, they will continue to change. If before they were a “dream”, today they are an investment with direct returns on careers, minds and lives.
As the leader of an international institution, my role is to keep up with this evolution — and ensure that our students are prepared to lead this new world.
