How to study abroad in the middle of the pandemic?
One thing that has for sure happened to the global education industry is that the COVID19 pandemic has changed almost all study plans of every student around the world. In this article, the Swiss Institute of Management and Innovation would like to share with you how studying abroad should be done when we are in the midst of the pandemic.
The raging Covid-19 pandemic has forced global universities to come up with a new strategy for their schools, after all, universities are also all about “business”. The reason is that the pandemic has affected the aspirations of international students to study abroad.
Although studying abroad in the current situation carries many risks, many students still intend to study abroad as soon as the pandemic situation subsides. Many international students have had to rethink their plans to study abroad, but most have not changed their intention to earn a degree from the world’s top universities.
As a result, universities have changed their approach to international students. They have to redesign the curriculum and teaching modules, reconsider different online technology platforms, and think of a new way to support those wanting to study abroad.
How does Covid-19 impact international students’ study abroad choices?
When the COVID19 pandemic started at the end of 2019 and continued its way till now, universities had to act quickly to transition to online education or hybrid learning module to keep students and communities safe. Amidst the bans and restrictions, students are forced to rethink their college choices.
Since international students’ mobility is severely impacted, all universities have the urge to transition their offline teaching method to the online one. As vaccinated programs are rolled out and have successfully implemented, universities around the world will be able to open up their campuses for international students to come.
However, health and safety will be the main deciding factors whether a student chooses his or her study destination.
How has the pandemic affected international students?
Not only higher education but all levels of education are undergoing a massive transformation that can shape the learning and teaching experience forever, all students are required to re-evaluate their study plans.
How can international students study abroad during the Covid-19 pandemic?
- Stick to your plan but be flexible when necessary: The pandemic won’t go away in a snap, so stick to your study plan. There may be temporary restrictions on how international students can study in host countries, so you’ll have to review the admissions processes and procedures carefully to avoid late graduation.
- Find out which schools are responding well to the pandemic: Nearly every university campus globally has reoriented its activities to meet the learning needs of its students. These actions vary from country to country and each school to each school. In general, those who are in the education industry have to come up with a new plan to attract international students, one of the first considerations is safety.
- Defer enrollment for a year, if possible: If you are not comfortable with online learning, consider deferring your studying for another year, until a solution to the current pandemic is available. in. In the meantime, you can join the workforce during the gap years. However, it also means you’ll work later than your peers after graduation and likely won’t take advantage of the economic recovery. Therefore, this is a very personal decision, you should consider carefully whether you should postpone studying or not.
Is studying abroad after Covid-19 worth it?
In our opinion: yes! A recent survey said that only 5.4% of international students wanted to cancel their study abroad plans because of COVID-19. This pandemic shall pass and all of us will have to anticipate the next phase.
What is certain is that this situation has tested the determination of many. Heaps of foreign universities and institutes have reported an increase in the number of applications globally.
However, keep in mind that you should do careful research on how your future university has dealt with the pandemic to ensure the quality of the education.
Reasons why you should still study abroad
- Career Prospection: Foreign university graduates have an advantage over their peers when applying for jobs.
The current crisis has had a major impact on employment prospects and migration but countries in Europe and the US appear to be experiencing a V-shaped recovery, which increases the likelihood that students graduate.
- The value of education: The knowledge you can learn from universities will stay with you for a lifetime. Studying abroad means not only academic knowledge but also a whole new set of opportunities to develop one’s character. Studying abroad isn’t just about a degree, it’s about life, culture, language, a change in mindset, and a surge of confidence.
- Life Experience: Whether it’s an online or offline program, graduating from a foreign university changes a student’s life forever, for sure. Study at SIMI will help students improve their critical thinking skills and will also help them become “pioneers” with advanced teaching methods according to European standards.
- Become a global citizen with a new mindset: A foreign university offers a cross-cultural blend that can change your perspective forever. Studying with people from different backgrounds will expose you to different mindsets and beliefs and prepare you for bravery, creativity, and global inclusion.
Source: The Swiss Institute of Management and Innovation