What is the decision of majority of Indian Students to study abroad even in Covid-19 lockdown?

Of the Indian students who had planned to study abroad, around 91% are still holding on to their dreams even amidst the Covid-19 lockdown. An expert explains why.

As the world tackles the Covid-19 pandemic, surprisingly, around 91% of Indian students who had planned to study abroad still want to continue due to the safety measures being put in place.

This number is rather welcome considering how the Coronavirus pandemic ruined plans for students worldwide, especially those who wanted to go to other countries for their higher education.

A study on the Indian students who had registered on the platform for studying abroad in the next 6-10 months revealed their mindset during the pandemic which is making them take this decision.

We got talking to an expert to understand more about how the study abroad scene is changing for Indian students during the Covid-19 pandemic.

What did the study on Indian students wanting to study abroad find?

Here are the highlights of what the study found about Indian students wanting to study abroad:

1. 76% students surveyed were planning to go ahead with their education abroad in the next 6-10 months (upcoming September or January intakers).

2. 16% students said that they will take a decision about studying abroad by the summer, while 8% are considering delaying the decision due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

3. But the above numbers changed when students were informed about the steps being taken by international universities. Around 25% of the students weren’t aware of the contingency measures taken by universities for the Sep ’20 and Jan ’21 intakes such as blended learning options.

4. More than 70% of the students prefer an international healthcare system. Canada and the UK ranked among the most trusted international healthcare systems by Indian students followed by US, India, Germany, Sweden and Finland.

5. 76% of the surveyed students are headed for post-graduate programmes, while the remaining 34% are in the undergraduate category.

6. The study found that UK was the most preferred study destination for Indian students. It got 28% of the votes. Australia, Germany and France are the other top choices voted by 20% students.

7.Canada and US are close second choices to study abroad with 15% and 18% votes respectively.
Measures being taken by universities abroad during Covid-19 lockdown

With strict measures in place after the Covid-19 pandemic, universities abroad are enhancing other features and opportunities to make sure they are still attractive to Indian students and can offer them something more than the Indian education system is able to at the time.

Let’s acknowledge the fact that these universities have been in existence for a very long time, some have been here for multiple centuries. They have seen global crises before and have only come out of it stronger.

Universities are bringing in new measures to ensure the safety of current and future international students.

Here are the measures being taken by universities abroad during the Covid-19 pandemic:

1. Moving all classes online: Lectures are being given online and in some case a better experience to the students in terms of delivery, assignments and tests.

2. English language testing: With Local IELTS/TOEFL/PTE Centres staying closed; universities are ensuring they provide other options for taking the test at home along with the pre-sessional English courses who need to show a proof of English proficiency to join the program.

3. Safety and health measures: All university campuses are being sanitized daily and mobility inside or outside the University has been limited to health officials, security and transport of essential goods only. Student gatherings are being dispersed and every other health measure is being taken as directed by the Health Services and WHO.

4. 24x 7 student supports: Universities have opened up self-help sections and 24×7 Covid-19 helpline numbers specifically for student support. All university International offices in countries across the world have come together and are working overtime to ensure singular thread of information is passed on and myths are busted among students and their parents.

The University wants to reiterate that they are with the student and the higher education community as it becomes utmost necessary to ensure the current generation doesn’t suffer and comes out as individuals capable of taking such a pandemic in the future head-on.