covid-19 exploded during a phase of globalisation’s rethinking, characterised by an increase of commercial disputes, the diffusion of populisms and nationalists’ rhetoric, the crisis and the difficulties of multi-lateral institutions and ideologies. Alongside global supply chains, the internationalisation of higher education is among the most affected areas by the health emergency. Based on analyses of recent surveys, alternative conceptualizations and forms of internationalisation only recently considered in mainstream debates as well as preliminary direct observations, the essay reports a reflection about the impacts of covid-19 on the internationalisation of higher education, outlines the possible perspectives of the massive adoption of digital technologies and draws some policy implications.