COVID-19, the pandemic that caused a bacterial outbreak in December has severely affected life all over the world. With canceled flights and border restrictions, many international students are compelled to either abandon or delay their decisions regarding abroad study.
Many universities all around the globe have to make changes to their operations, including early academic closures and reorganized teaching. The education sector is now highly uncertain for foreign students, yet universities are keen to welcome international students.
This is where the globe is in the middle of the rapidly increasing uncertainty of higher education during Covid-19.
Is there still the option of studying abroad?
There are many universities that are accepting online applications for international studies during covid crises. The possibility of you studying abroad will depend on both the restrictions of the country in which you wish to study and your own country's restrictions.
Every institution will have its own processes in place, so it is advisable to examine them if you know where you want to study. Most institutions will still aggressively recruit foreign students and will make alternate arrangements if you are unable to go when the term begins.
In the final few months of the 2019/20 academic year, several institutions delivered lectures and tutorials online. Some universities have already decided to open the institution following a safety precaution.
What to do if you are already enrolled?
Many of you have already been accepted to your particular universities. You should totally be aware of how covid-19 might affect your abroad studies. It is important for you to know the latest updates of how each country has been responding differently to this crisis.
However, there might be some difficulties you might face. So, it is your duty to stay updated with universities notices. As this situation is changing constantly, remember to keep in touch with the universities with the latest updates.
Will I get a Student visa for Abroad Study after the Pandemic?
If you are planning to study abroad in countries like Australia, Canada, New Zealand then a visa is essential for your entry. But, due to this pandemic situation getting a visa has been a difficult task as many countries are undergoing strict lockdown.
As lockdown restrictions throughout the world begin to loosen, several centers are now open. For more information about how to obtain a visa, contact your country's embassy. In order to make visas more accessible during the epidemic, many nations extended deadlines or waived some restrictions.
Is there any change in tuition fees?
Universities' services will change over time, with fewer contact hours possible and a decrease in sports and events. Therefore, many of the students argue that tuition fees should decrease to match these changes. Many universities are not making any changes regarding the fees but an increasing number are making changes due to this pandemic.
What will happen with your scholarships and funding?
If you are planning on using a scholarship or funding, check with your university. The majority of universities will honor your scholarship, even if you transfer your classes to the university online at the beginning of the semester. If you wish to postpone your enrollment for another year, you will need to reapply for any grants, scholarships, or financing you have received so far.
Many institutions have made additional help and funds available to assist students with expenses such as food and accommodation. That implies there may be more assistance available if you require it; however, this assistance is often reserved for current students who have been negatively affected by the epidemic.
If you are having difficulty paying your tuition fees due to the epidemic inform your university. Because bank closures make it impossible to transmit significant quantities of money, several institutions have provided payment plans or postponed payment deadlines to assist.
What is your opinion on studying abroad following COVID-19?
The pandemic situation has also forced many students to shift their plans from 2019 to 2020, hoping for better conditions. As these pandemics still continue with different variations of covid-19, students are realizing that deferral is not the solution.
With the approval and distribution of many vaccinations, there is hope that the process of studying abroad will return to normal.
It is still too soon to tell how the pandemic will affect international study on a long-term basis. It may increase demand in 2021 as those who delayed their studies apply for courses the following year.
Conclusion
Finally, these are the major impacts of Covid-19 on students who are planning to study abroad. The pandemic has significantly affected the lives of all the people around the globe. University officials are working hard to find safe ways to bring students on campus, but the pandemic is still prevalent and making things difficult. As studying on-campus can be hard, many universities worldwide are already implementing hybrid learning models. This basically means that some courses will be conducted in the classroom while others will be conducted online.
So, if you want to study abroad during this pandemic, you must contact the universities regarding the process and restrictions rules of their country. They will be able to inform you whether or how you can enroll, and if there are any restrictions you need to know about.