Leah Corona, from the windy Australian small town of Mildura, should have been attending school in spring-like Lund by now, but her visa has not been approved after several months of waiting. The exact reason for the delay in her specific case remains unclear. Exchange organizations report that students are facing longer visa wait times and more rejections, though the total number of affected students is not confirmed.
According to Helsingborgs Dagblad, Franca Smith, a host mother, described Sweden as feeling less welcoming to exchange students recently. It is unknown what specific policies or measures in Sweden are contributing to this perception of reduced hospitality.
Sweden does not feel so welcoming anymore.