The world is on lockdown. What happens to my study abroad plans now?

7 reasons you should not give up on your dreams of studying abroad

We are living in extraordinary times. For those who intended to study abroad before the pandemics, that seems to put all plans at risk.

Things are hard now, but we can help you reflect on your options and also support you to reach your study goals.

The recent coronavirus COVID-19 crisis has been a world challenge in several areas. Regarding local and international education, most schools and universities changed their teaching model to online learning. They introduced new platforms and ways to interact with students, teachers and support teams all over the world.

People that were planning to do a course overseas might now be doubtful about taking a plane, travelling or even studying abroad at all. Daily news and the idea that we have to adapt to a “new normal” is not encouraging.

Yet, from our experience with international education and based on education experts we trust, it seems this is not a case of losing perspective or hope of achieving your dream. At some point (we hope it does not take too long) life will be back to this “new normal”, with a lot of fresh opportunities added.

Changes are still happening in education. Approximately 20% of university students worldwide are international. As a result, most universities are being more flexible in their admission process and submission dates. For example, some international tests such as GMAT, GRE or SAT were postponed. Most UK universities now accept Duolingo’s and Pearson’s tests (done online) as proof of language proficiency.

Thus, this could be an opportunity to restart your study and travel planning.

You may have even paid for your course but are indecisive between deferring your course to another date or claiming for a refund.  Still, before  making your decision, look into the 7 reasons we believe you should not give up:

1. The future seems bleak now, but this crisis will end. We do not know precisely when, but it will end. The world will be better prepared to address a similar plight. Planning for when the crisis is over will allow you to use productively the time you have now. It will put you in advantage compared to other candidates that intend to wait and watch what will happen before taking action. Remember that many academic programmes have limited places and some application processes can be complex, requiring some extra time to gather all necessary documents.

2. Language schools and universities will resume in-person classes. Schools have never closed completely. They adjusted to the new circumstances. As a result, you can now choose between options that did not exist before. For instance, you can start a programme online and continue in person when travelling resumes; or you can choose from different starting dates all year long. UK Student Solutions can help you find the programme to match what you want and what you need.

 3. Higher Education in the post-pandemic world will focus a lot on courses and training that will reflect our new technological and historical era. Universities and colleges will increase the offer for courses and traineeship that will enable our interaction with the “new world”. Look at some careers on track to grow in the marketplace (some are not new at all,  but are gaining a fresh approach):

All Technology Around Remote Working	Virtual Reality/ Voice and Face Recognition
Smart Banking (FinTechs/InsurTechs)	Deep Learning/Big Data
Algorithms and Algorithmic Programming	Cyber Security/Ethical Hacking
Cryptographic currencies	Blockchain
Smart Buildings	Microfinance/Micro-Lending
Public Health Policy	Public Policy
Biomedical Engineering	Biomedical Sciences
Medicine	Nursing
Global Healthcare/ “MedTechs”	Pharmacy
Microbiology	Epidemiology/Immunology
Environmental Engineering	Sustainability
Renewable Energy	Meteorology
Food Security	International Disaster Management
Human Rights/Civil Rights	Conflict Resolution

British universities are already leading in in several of those areas, and we are up to date with the most current academic trends. UK Student Solutions is ready to tell you about these options and many more. Let us know what academic path you wish to explore!

4. Remote learning is excellent, but it is unlikely that it will replace the classroom and campus experience for good.  E-learning, until recently, had a support role in education. It became the solution to avoid interruption of classes and exams during the crisis. And yet, there is an attribute that computers alone cannot deliver — the human factor. Some determinants show that classrooms will return to the major role they had before: the direct motivation and feedback from the teachers, the emotional and intellectual bond built up on campus and classroom, the experience of working alongside your professors and colleagues (gaining methodological and lab skills), the sharing of genuine experiences with your peers and the learning of life skills living in a new country and a new culture. Would you agree?

5. The opportunity for work. From September 2020, international students starting their graduate or postgraduate studies in the UK will eligible to apply for the new post-study work visa (PSW). This scheme will enable you to get a work and residence permit of 24 months (2 years) after graduation. Although this programme’s intention is to allow students to gain experience in the industry before going back to their country, there are no restrictions to the role you take. You can work in any industry and any job. Have you thought about returning to your country as a graduate plus some work experience abroad? That would be an outstanding addition to your CV besides broadening your career horizons!

6. Opportunity for international scholarships: many universities indeed rely on the income brought by paying international students. As the crisis is preventing the arrival of new students, we expect a significant impact on the universities’ budgets and this may put on hold some of their scholarship programmes. Despite that, it is in moments like these that people and organisations realize the importance of science and education. New initiatives are extremely likely to emerge and will support potential students to contribute positively to global issues. If you do not know where to look for scholarship opportunities, start from our page – every month we publish a range of options.

7. You will love the experience. The study abroad journey is an experience with uncountable personal, academic and professional rewards. That is incontestable. It is a pathway of self-discovery, learning, fresh stories to tell, places to explore, friendships and professional contacts to make. It is a tremendous investment in yourself that will return a lifetime of dividends.

If you have already enrolled or paid and are uncertain about the entire thing, postponing is the best option. It means to keep on dreaming with something that will happen. You have fought for this dream.

If you were still exploring the possibilities, use the time you have to research the courses you want to do. This is not a matter of looking randomly on the internet, but a self-knowledge question. It is research, and it is important to organise the information. If you decide what and where you want to study, check what you need to do, all pros and cons, and the financial commitment you are about to make. Do not forget that we can help you here!

We still live in a routine in which there is time to do more than usual. So, follow all the safety guidelines, work from home if possible and use the lockdown to think about your study abroad plans and the impact they may have on your personal and professional life.

If you have favourite universities, visit their websites to find out what changes are happening or about to happen. One tip: type COVID-19 or coronavirus and the name of the university to go directly to the content you want to see. Read about the courses, the teachers, the university’s facilities, and the cities. Make a summary of the key points.

Look into scholarships available for international students, their requirements for application, and the deadlines for the submission of documents. Start revising for language tests and practice your English. Do not leave studying for too late. Join online courses (check on our last article about free online learning)

If you do not know where to start, or there are a lot of doubts about doing all this by yourself, get in touch with us. We will give you expert advice and guide you through the schools selection and enrolment process, in line with your goals and budget.

 There is a greater world waiting for you.

When this crisis is over, you will work towards accomplishing to your study dreams. We can assure it will be a powerful experience: from enjoying the best language learning methods up to taking part in all innovative academic programmes coming for the “5th Industrial Revolution” (as it is being called by the UK experts). You will, at first-hand, experience a world where values are being remodelled, and hopefully society will be more focused on the use of the advancement for the benefit of individuals, communities and protect the planet we live in.

Send us your questions, suggestions, comments or ideas here!