Australian border closed: Study abroad aspirants considering Plan B

Sumeet Jain

Though life is getting back on track, COVID-19 is still a threat in many progressive nations. Between ensuring due diligence and resuming activity as usual, many international universities have been giving out dynamic decisions regarding their intakes. Many universities in the US waived off GRE, whereas Australian universities cajoled students to opt for distance learning programs until borders are reopened.

The state of New South Wales in Australia recorded the most number of cases in July 2021, and now opening the borders for educational endeavors seems like a far cry. Many Australian universities proposed a discounted fee structure, however, most applicants were unmoved with this offer as their interest lied in moving to Australia.

A similar series of events was also observed by students wishing to study in Canadian Universities since the ban on direct flights from India got extended. As many as 8000+ aspirants have applied to Canada through Yocket in Fall 2021 and are waiting with bated breath.

These closed-border situations did have hard-hitting consequences on the morale of students. Many students at Yocket were just waiting for their VISAs but owing to decisions made by the Australian government, they had no choice but to resort to a different country that allowed them to move.

However, since the students were already at the last leg of their application, there was a lot of discontentment amongst the candidates who were all set to move to Australia. As a consequence, some students opted for the distance learning programs, while the others waited for the February intake in Australian Universities.

Amidst all the tension that students are facing during these testing times, there are a few crucial decisions that are still in the pipeline. To tackle them better, students can follow a well-planned approach.

#1 Diversify Your Risk

If you have a Plan B in place, it may be one of the occasions when you will need to exercise it. Since, there is a set timeline for education, and the things that follow after the completion of your education, you might not be interested in waiting any further.

“I got admits into some of the top-tier Australian universities ranging from Australia National University to the University of Adelaide. I was keen on pursuing my education in Australia but after analysing the aftermath of the situation, I opted to study in Birmingham”, said Eva Nelavareth, a study abroad aspirant.

Pro Tip:  The universities in the UK, USA, and Germany opened their doors to international students, and thus they experienced a hike in the number of international students. The safety protocols by these countries were aligned with the requirements to ensure a safe stay for students.

#2 Keeping Yourself Updated

It is important to closely monitor the changes and announcements that are being made by the university officials. You can track this information on Twitter, or any other verified medium that broadcasts the information promptly.

If you are aware of all the important facts and information, you will be able to make resolute decisions. Here’s an interesting fact about Australia. 

The education industry in both Australia and New Zealand is the third highest contributor to their GDP. The government will be bound to open the universities sooner or later, and therefore one can safely assume that things could be back to normal before the applications for the February intakes begin.

#3 Never Losing Hope

 Even though these situations are unprecedented, you will have to maintain your composure for mindful analysis. Weigh all your options, tick all the boxes, and decide calmly whether exercising your back-up option is the right choice.

The global situation of the coronavirus is extremely turbulent for the universities to take a concrete action which is causing the delay and changes in their announcements. Once normalcy is restored, and the population is vaccinated, your favorite universities will be all set to host you again!

           The writer is Co-founder and Higher Education Expert, Yocket

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