COVID-19 affects all students. But the American College Health Association has singled out international students as a vulnerable population.

Far from family and longtime friends, they are at risk of isolation, and they are less likely than their American counterparts to seek counseling. Shifting student-visa policies and an uptick in racist and xenophobic incidents can add to their anxiety.

One question on many people’s minds is: Will this end up being a lost year for students educationally? Many educators acknowledge the missed opportunities, like extended time in labs and robust co-curricular learning. But they also note some unexpected benefits.

Several educators weigh in on how the pandemic is altering the landscape for online learning—plus what some colleges are doing to more effectively adapt to employers’ evolving expectations.