What are Countries doing to Help in Studying Abroad During COVID-19?

The tremendous rise of coronavirus affected the whole world, which hasn’t stopped yet. And along with it, the virus put the dreams on hold of students who wanted to pursue their studies abroad. Now, as nearly a year has been spent into the pandemic, several universities overseas have taken necessary steps to ensure intercontinental students, keep enrolling.

The foreign universities have taken a strict decision of conducting the classes online instead of offline mode, considering social distancing standards. According to education consultants, this has not discouraged the students. Many countries longing to draw the attention of international students to have modified policies. For example, visa applications and fees and post-study work visas. Although, these policies differ widely between university and country.

Regional director of South Asia, IDP education Mr. Piyush Kumar said, that in our experience, the time when the governments announced the lockdowns, the majority of the students agreed to postpone their education to meet the physical classes right. Shortly an increase in the number of students was seen who came to know that taking online classes is a practical option for them.

Safety Measures for COVID-19

After months of lockdown, the UK and Canada have decided to re-open their borders for distant students. The Canadian government on October 20 accepted entry of foreign students unconcerned about when their study grant was allowed or where they are heading from. Also, the government has identified DLIs or designated learning institutes that have a ‘readiness plan for COVID-19’ in place for the well-being of students.

A statement from CICan (Colleges and Institutes Canada) said, that this declaration is a remarkably positive and beneficial development for institutes and colleges all over Canada and shows our collective efforts for the preparation and planning for the safe and secure arrival of the students. This is the reason why Canada is considered one of the top five places for Indian students.

Some other measures do not aim at foreign students individually. An expenditure of about $9 billion has been announced by Canada under the Canada emergency student benefit plan.

Bursaries and Funds

Some universities to hold up students who are currently under pecuniary stress have set up different bursaries and funds. A statement given by the University of Guelph indicated that “a needs-based program, an International Tuition Assistance Bursary will issue approximately $2,500 i.e. $1,250 for each semester) to international students struggling to pay their tuition.

The University of Adelaide is issuing a 20% study fee rebate in Austria or their native country for those students who are unable to join their campus. An international relief fund has also raised by the Deakin University with the state government’s assistance in Victoria. “It will support foreign students who cannot to come to Australia on time for the semester’s proceedings via an Access Scholarship of about AUD 1, 500,” said Curtin University.

The support level, nonetheless, differs very extensively across universities and countries. “Even though classes have shifted online, students will not receive any concession,” said the University College London. An information bulletin on its websites said, that the UK government department for education is very clear that students need not to expect any kind of refund whether they are receiving sufficient support and online learning. In essence, the department’s teaching and assessment moved online so currently they are not offering reductions or tuition fee refunds.

Visas simplified

A relaxation by countries on visa regulations has given to foreign students. The government of Canada detached restrictions on students exceeding work time of 20 hours within a week but this change is only applicable for students working in a required service.

International borders of Australia remain closed but the composure of student and post-study work visa policies will help. According to the recent policy, the seaward study for foreign students will also add to post-study work rights. This allows students undertake an offline study of a minimum of 6 months to qualify.

CEO and founder of Global Educational Consultants, Manoj P said, that the process of visa applications for international students by the Australian government has started and many have already begun their online classes. The borders are opening in January as in Anticipation, the number of candidates for visas is very high.

A simplified and new points-based student visa route has been announced by the UK government. Manoj P explained that the students out of 100 require at least 70 points to receive a visa. The asked points will be achieved if they can prove that if they can speak English, have an offer letter from an acknowledged educational institute and can support their studies financially in the UK.

In a statement, Kevin Foster, UK immigration minister said, that we remember that as the outcome of coronavirus, some international students are opting to postpone their arrival onto courses within the UK up to the spring 2021.  Introduction to these new paths now refers that the students will can sake from the new smooth process whilst still providing sponsors time to modify after their autumn consumption.

The situation is not so good for the most preferred destination, the USA. As the USA is topping the charts of positive COVID cases in the world, it is hitting the visa application processes too. Kumar said that some of the excellent educational institutions are present in the United States but the current visa policies are not that much motivating. He added, that there is a lot of students who hold 1-20 form and valid offers. The students are facing many problems in getting dates for visa interviews.

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