Institutions have come up with ways to take online entrances, assessments, interviews and in some cases – remote examinations.

For long enough students have aspired to study abroad to carve a better future for them. It is not only international education they crave for, but a holistic experience that involves quality education, international exposure, chance to learn from world-renowned faculty and better employability. It’s true that the Covid-19 pandemic affected the entire world in ways we never imagined and but it only made international education more accessible to those still thinking.

The global switch to online

In tough times like these, the universities across the globe were compelled to take significant decisions to ensure their existing and prospective students remain unaffected and we can say that they have done a pretty great job at that. The most effectual step adopted all over the world was to go online.

All institutions big or small, underwent a massive change in their conduct of administration and switched to the virtual mode of delivering education. Classes and lectures are being delivered online, there are regular webinars and, the faculty is far more accessible than ever.

This one step has helped thousands of students from wasting an important year in their lives. Plus, online education allows more flexibility to students who can study from the safety of their homes and access faculty resources digitally. What is commendable on part of most institutions and governments is that they have allowed the students to enjoy the same work rights after the completion of their studies if they opt for online curriculums as they would otherwise avail as a full-time on-campus student.

Institutions digitally upped themselves

Institutions have come up with ways to take online entrances, assessments, interviews and in some cases remote examinations. Understanding the various challenges and travel restrictions in different countries, universities have also extended their application submission and fee payment deadlines to ensure that the students willing to enrol for the upcoming intakes don’t have to suffer.

Some are also willing to help with financial aids and offering special scholarships to those who enrol for online education.

In fact, the concept of blended learning is now being employed in almost every international institution. Blended learning is when a student starts the program online, safe at home, and can transfer to an on-campus learning environment once the travel bans are lifted. This helps save time, money, as well as gives the student an opportunity to enjoy campus life once the world retreats to pre-Covid normalcy.

Students looking at future-proof careers

Drawing out the positive from this current pandemic situation students have become more conscious of their career choices and are looking at their future with utmost diligence. They are exploring courses that are future-proof and can sustain longer if another such emergency ever arises. For instance, careers in artificial intelligence, data sciences, machine learning, media, digital marketing, medical services, etc. have been the most retainable in the current situation.

This said, there is a huge scope for research students in the future as result-oriented domains will now find more attention. Fields like genomics, virology, pharma and biotechnology will enjoy the focus, thereby allowing students who wanted to pursue generic degrees to opt for more specialised programs.

While institutions and governments are doing their best to make it smoother for international students, study abroad aspirants have also awakened to evaluating their choices considering one more important criterion health services in the respective country.

Source:https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/study-abroad/story/studying-abroad-the-changing-trends-in-2020-1717502-2020-09-01