Ashish Fernando
Before planning to study overseas in a relatively unknown country, it’s important to consider the aspect of general safety and well-being. But, which factors should you consider? Here are 5 of the safest countries in 2021 and the factors that make them so.Â
 ‘Which are the safest countries to study in?’, is a commonly asked question by students and parents alike. Be it the global pandemic or the general day-to-day life problems, safety is always a concern for students who plan to study abroad across the globe. But, how do you determine if a country feels safe to you or not? There are many factors that can help you decide. Some of the most prominent factors are the quality of life in a country, it’s rank on the Global Peace Index, student-friendly policies, gender equality, climate, etc. Based on these, listed below are 5 of the safest countries to study in this year.Â
 The Netherlands
Consistently ranking high on all scales for being a peaceful, friendly, and safe country, the Netherlands are a very popular education destination. It ranks on the sixth place on the ‘Quality of life’ index and 21st on the Global Peace Index. Its universities are famous for their programmes in art, psychology, business management, and engineering. Compared to India and many other countries, the Netherlands has a very low crime rate, low racial discrimination, high gender equality, and very low unemployment rate.
Australia and New Zealand
Did you know that New Zealand ranks second on the Global Peace Index while Australia ranks at a good 13th place? There’s a reason these two countries rank that high. Instead of listing these two countries separately, It has been grouped together due to their similarities when it comes to international student policies. Both these English-speaking countries have a combined total of 44 universities that rank high in the world rankings. Australia and New Zealand are also both highly popular for their excellent weather conditions and diverse natural habitats. The most notable point however, is that while cases continue to rise in India and other countries worldwide, Australia and New Zealand have both remained COVID-free with less than 30 COVID-19 cases reported in a week.
Canada
Canada is home to some of the most high-ranked institutions in the world and is famous for being an immigration-friendly nation. During the COVID-pandemic, the Canadian government took drastic measures to ensure student and citizen safety. While around 8% of Indian population has been vaccinated, Canada’s vaccination numbers are considerably ahead of most countries at a solid 26%. With a very low rate of racial discrimination and several laws against it, overall, Canada ranks 6th on the Global Peace Index.
 Switzerland
From its snowy mountains to safe idyllic neighborhoods, and cold climate all year round, Switzerland is definitely a strong contender for this list. Top institutions like ETH Zurich, University of Geneva, and EPFL are popular among international students. Zurich, Geneva, and many other Swiss cities rank as high as the fifth position on the ‘Quality of life’ index whereas Switzerland as a whole ranks 10th on the Global Peace Index.Â
 Singapore
This city-state sovereign nation might be a surprising addition to many but for those who have been paying attention to the news, it’s definitely not. With top names like National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technical University, Singapore has some of the top institutions in the world. Not only that but, Singapore also ranks 10th in Asia on the Quality of life index of 2021.
 While all these countries listed above have their own benefits and drawbacks, students need to understand that safety is a very relative concept. While some people might feel safe in a crowded city, others might prefer a quaint town. So, when choosing between the right countries, it is best to figure out your own preferences, talk to some people living in the chosen countries, if possible, and then make the choice accordingly.
 The writer is Founder and CEO – iSchoolConnect
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