While no one was prepared for the pandemic that hit us all with such uncertainty, it is commendable how we’ve all adapted to the new normal. Especially in the field of international higher education, it was warming to see how institutions and governments across the map came together to support international students fulfil their dreams of studying abroad.  

In this crucial time, institutions around the world adapted to deliver education online so that thousands of international students can still live their dream of studying abroad. Currently, from onboarding to delivering lectures, everything has been moved virtually. This, I believe is a great step considering that international education has not only been made more accessible (from the comfort and safety of home) but it also pushes the upcoming generation towards a whole new level of digital maturity.  

Not only this, institutions have also come up with newer, more adaptable models like hybrid courses that allow students to commence their studies online and take classes from their native countries virtually and later transfer to on-campus learning whenever the respective travel bans get lifted. This lets the students access classes from anywhere in the world, while they stay safe indoors.  

This is a great step as the governments have come also forward to support these students and has allowed them to enjoy the same post-study work rights as they would have if they opted for full-time on-campus learning. Trying to extend their support to international students in various ways, most countries have started to process visas so students with offer letters can finish their formalities and fly down to their study country. Canadian authorities, for instance, have started to accept visa applications without biometric evidences as they understand a student cannot submit that in the given situation.   

Talking about students, it is interesting to see how they have also become more selective about what they pursue as a career. More and more students are looking at future-proof choices like digital marketing, medical services, machine learning, media, etc. – choices that have more sustainable value. In fact, given the need of the world, this pandemic has brought attention towards many specialized courses which are bound to offer a great employment opportunity in the times to come. Scope for subjects such as pharma, biotechnology, genomics, virology, etc. has increased and many students are opting for these specialised programs.  

With the world taking its time to return to pre-COVID normalcy, I would suggest all students who have always aspired to study in an international institution to act on their dreams and make them happy.