Study in Australia: The influence of pandemic and the road ahead

by Study Abroad Expert Study Overseas Consultants

The students who have been wanting to study in Australia have been hit the hardest in the last year. The absolute closure of the borders left the students without any hope to enter Australia in near future. Till date, Australia has adopted a restrictive stance towards outsiders and students are not yet allowed on-campus for their education. On the contrary, countries like Canada and UK have started welcoming the international students with complete safety and precautionary measures.

It is not that Australia did not feel the impact of these restrictive decisions. In fact, the country has suffered the loss in the tune of millions. Not only the direct jobs are impacted but indirect jobs like the local vendors who heavily relied upon the student population for their sales are facing the brunt of the pandemic. Ranging from the cleaners, sweepers, rental accommodation owners and nonetheless the institutes are in a desperate need for the situation to be normalized so that they can get on with their lives like before.

Though Australia allowed students in phases, but it was largely for those who belonged to the medical field and the researchers. This was done keeping in mind the priority at the moment where students and researchers could help the burdened medical infrastructure. Though, the decisions have been harsh but it has resulted into great accomplishment. The way Australia and New Zealand dealt with the pandemic restored the faith amongst the students to study in New Zealand or Australia. For them, health and well-being of everyone comes first.

Considering the future, it can be said that Australia will soon take necessary steps to attract international students towards it. Already, the students have opted for alternate plans and the country needs to ramp up its educational scenario to bring the good old days back. On the immigration front, the states are looking forward to open their borders and the same is expected for the international students towards the end of 2021 and the middle of 2022.

It is however a fact that the response of the countries towards the COVID-19 pandemic has played a major role in shaping the sentiment of the foreigners towards a particular country for study, work or immigration purposes. Despite the chaos that was created in the UK at the onset of the pandemic, its impressive vaccination roll-out has brought back the charm among the students for abroad study in UK. Similar is the case for Australia, its protective stand will lead to increased faith and will drive people towards the country for a safe and secured future.

During the pandemic too, Australia has taken special note of the international students studying or aspiring to study in Australia. Those who stayed back in the country were granted the facilities and were allowed to work even more to earn and to contribute in the fight against the pandemic. Rest of the students who were looking for admissions and were stuck in the process were given clear directions. The students were provided with the information and the institutes along with the government made sure that status has been clearly communicated to the students. All these factors positively contribute to the country’s status and undoubtedly Australia will soon be open to welcome international students to fulfill their dreams once again