editor COVID-19 brought massive changes across the world, several industries experienced the high rise and unprecedented impact of the deadly COVID-19. The education industry, also likewise experienced a humongous disruption. The situation even worsened when study abroad students were left stranded in countries abroad. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the shift to blended learning, offering students more flexibility and personalized learning experiences at home. But learning can never stop, so as the world recovers, it is evident that the only way the education industry can function on track is by embracing the changes and making it the new normal.
Let’s find out in this blog below how has COVID-19 affected the study abroad educational experience as a whole, and what does Post-Covid education look like?
Impact of COVID-19 on Overseas Education
You might have heard stories of Indian students studying abroad, trying to cope with their studies, and managing their finances at the same time. Corona Virus’ impact on the education sector was simply disastrous and even worse for study abroad students!
With US visa consulates in India shut down, and the future of study abroad aspirants hanging, parents also started losing hope. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services Website was constantly updating students on the situation.
Even after COVID-19 lessened, universities were still adamant about opening up gates for international students willing to study abroad. More so, there have been incidences wherein international students were seen making fun of, even being harassed in the name of racism. Chinese students particularly experienced next level harassment instances. And because of all these reasons, many students started considering taking online courses.
Let us quickly sum up how COVID 19 affected the study abroad education:
- Lack of job opportunities
- Financial instability
- Incomplete visa process
- Shut universities
- Lack of security
- Postponing sessions and seminars
What Will Study Abroad in a Post-Covid World Look Like?
Deciding style and mode of education for the post COVID world definitely had to have a long term impact. The post-COVID study abroad world particularly catered to hindrances in the education system.
The decisions particularly focussed on things like:
- Online and digital collaborations
- Protection of social spaces
- Free availability of technology for both students and teachers
- Ending inequality on a global front
Changes in Study Abroad Education Post-Covid
Moving on, let us provide you with some instances of how education has, and will further change post-Covid:
- Incorporation of technology: Top universities in the world like Oxford University, Princeton University, Stanford University are observed to be world leaders in incorporating technology, and further distribute it to their counterparts.
- Prevalence of hybrid and blended learning: Hybrid or blended learning is an approach that inculcates both online and classroom teaching styles. This particular style of teaching offers students the best of both worlds, thereby reducing the amount of seat time.
- Incorporation of social-emotional learning: Universities across the world are currently incorporating social-emotional learning against inequality related challenges.
- Inclusion of changes in the curriculum: It is quite evident with the loss of physical education classes, and the loss of practicality as a whole, top universities, and institutions around the globe are considering changes in the curriculum.
- Developing skills and activities: According to the Times Higher Education, universities these days are focussing on building strong relationships with their students. Universities across the world are offering students increased opportunities to sharpen their skills both academically and socially!
- Increased number of educational platforms: With changes post COVID, there has been a rise of EdTech startups, thereby increasing the possibilities of educational reforms and changes altogether, helping study abroad aspirants!
- Increased number of online courses: Universities like Imperial College London have mastered the art of offering education through short, crisp and more than 500 courses for their international students. One of their famous courses is- ”Science of CoronaVirus”.
We are observing a changing education imperative all together. For instance, after the rise of SARS, there was an observable increase in the E-commerce sector. The challenges and effectiveness of online learning and gifted education are still more to be discovered. A variety of tools, collaborations, and platforms are still in the making, and there is a whole new world of “new” education that is yet to be observed, tried and tested.
Despite the hardships faced by study abroad students and aspirants, it is quite astounding to see a humongous amount of the Indian population moving towards education abroad. With travel bans and curbs no longer prevalent, Indian study abroad aspirants are back on their tracks, preparing for their SAT, and TOEFL exams! Transitions and transformations are paving the way to a new world, focused on an improved and unique education system!
And if you are someone who is ready to follow your dreams to study in US or abroad, you can connect with overseas educational consultants to help you ease the process of studying abroad, and get help in these changing times!
