Get answers to all your questions by global experts on July 24th!
The Covid19 crisis has cast a shadow of uncertainty in the minds of Indian students planning to pursue higher studies from global campuses. Those who have confirmed admissions can’t decide if they should accept the offers and complete the first semester online or defer their joining date — provided universities allow that.
What are the ‘Big Questions’ in students’ minds?
· Will I be safe away from home? In these turbulent times, health and wellbeing are top concerns of students planning to study abroad after 12th.
· What if sudden changes, such as new visa rules, land me in a sticky spot? The pandemic and global lockdown have reinforced the message that we are living in a highly volatile and uncertain world, where rules can change suddenly.
· How will I get my ‘Dream International Experience’? While online classes may help students keep abreast with their syllabi, they fear missing out on the experience of being a part of a global cohort, making international friends and enhancing their multi-cultural learning.
· How personalized will online classes be? Online fall semesters will give students the chance to continue learning from internationally reputed faculty but there are doubts about their effectiveness in real-time problem-solving and establishing personal connect with their teachers.
· What happens if I ultimately have to work from home? A huge attraction for students opting to study abroad is the chance to take up jobs in their chosen countries and experience the global work environment. With coronavirus accelerating the ‘work from home’ culture, there are concerns about missing out on this valuable experience.
Parents too in a dilemma…
· Classes have moved online, there’s no on-campus experience, then why such a high fee? Parentsare compelled to do a fresh cost-benefit analysis, especially as fees for international courses are generally exorbitant with few scholarships at the undergraduate level. Barring some universities in Germany and Finland, most others have not reduced their fee.
· Will my child be able to cope in this constantly changing scenario? Parents are worried, and rightly so, about their children’s health, safety and ability to cope with changes that may occur as a result of the pandemic. They need to ask themselves if they are comfortable sending off their child to another country.
· What will the Covid impact be on internships & post-study jobs? As studies abroad generally involve heavy investment, parents are worried if their children will get quality internships and placements, and if the pay will be commensurate with their qualifications.
Have such questions and want to know more from study abroad consultants? Register for ICS’ free Studies Abroad webinar, now!
Other points to consider in the Post-Covid World
Let’s look at some of the changed realities that may impact both students’ and parents’ decisions regarding studies abroad, this year:
· Closed air spaces / borders: Travelling to another country has become problematic. Many nations have their borders closed to the world. While some countries are beginning to lift travel restrictions, a sudden spike in cases can reverse this trend.
· The closure of visa application centres world-wide: This has also caused a problem for students who were planning to reach their international university campuses in September. Although some countries, like Canada, are still processing visa applications, only students who got study permission before the travel restrictions came into effect are being allowed inside.
· Announcement by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency: According to this agency’s recent order, foreign students must leave the US if their fall classes are going to be taught completely online, or they must transfer to another school with in-person instruction. Despite prestigious universities like Harvard and MIT opposing this announcement, it has heightened the fears of both students and parents.
· Not enough scholarships? There’s an apprehension among students and parents that scholarship cutdowns can be announced.
The Bright Side
· Despite the challenges, recent surveys show that a huge chunk of Indian students are interested in pursuing studies abroad.
· Admission and test criteria have been relaxed at some universities.
· Many prestigious universities have declared that their fall semester will be conducted online.
· Collaborations are taking place between foreign and Indian universities to facilitate quality education for students.
Wish to know more about the Bright Side?
Considering the many doubts that students and parents are grappling with, ICS has planned a special Studies Abroad webinar on July 24th in which experts from USA, Canada, UK, Ireland and Finland will provide insights on various aspects, including:
· Changes in admission criteria and / or fee structure
· Methodologies of conducting online semesters
· Initiatives for providing on-campus global experience to students in a virtual mode
· Impact on internships and post-study job opportunities
· Possibilities for collaboration with Indian universities for course credits
So, block your calendar for this session on July 24th (6pm to 7.30pm IST). Click to register.
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Content Credit: Team ICS
Edited by: Ms Sanchita Dwivedi
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