The Covid 19 Pandemic was a huge challenge for the modern world, but humanity showed its resilience and creativity in overcoming it. We, humans, have always found ways to adapt and thrive in any situation. As humans, we are driven to be productive even after the sun has set. To maintain our work momentum, we innovated electric light, enabling us to pursue our goals and ambitions day and night.
As an education counsellor, I heard many predictions from my colleagues that students would stop pursuing education abroad due to the difficulties of survival. However, life has a way of surprising us, and our predictions turned out to be completely wrong. The world as we knew it was turned upside down by the COVID-19 pandemic. Countries shut their borders, schools closed down, and life as we knew it came to a grinding halt. But amidst all this chaos and uncertainty, there was a silver lining for some – Indian students who dreamed of studying abroad suddenly found their dreams becoming more attainable.
How could this be, you may ask? Well, let me throw some light on it.
Indian students who dreamt of studying abroad had to face many hurdles. They had to deal with visa issues, expensive living costs, and cultural shocks. But their problems did not end there. They also had to confront a global crisis: the pandemic.
As the COVID-19 pandemic forced universities around the world to shift to remote learning, there was a lot of anxiety among universities and students about how to adapt to this new reality. However, what initially appeared to be a challenge soon revealed itself as an unexpected opportunity. With online learning, study abroad aspirants now have the chance to attend classes from anywhere in the world. Without the limitations of physical distance, students can now enrol in programs at prestigious universities in countries that they previously only dreamed of visiting.
But it wasn’t just the convenience of online learning that drew us Indian students to study abroad. As the pandemic raged on, many students found themselves facing bleak job prospects in India. Studying abroad offered the promise of better economic opportunities and a chance to secure a brighter future.
And then there was the issue of safety. With the pandemic still raging, Indian students had a newfound appreciation for countries with robust healthcare systems and strict safety measures in place. The lure of studying in a country with low infection rates and top-notch medical facilities was too great to resist.
Despite the negative opinions that many Indian parents have expressed about the internet and its supposed negative effects on our valuable time, it has opened our eyes to the world outside our borders. In recent years, Indian students have been exposed to an increasing amount of news through social media, which has allowed them to learn about the great achievements that Indians have accomplished. With this newfound awareness, students are gaining a greater appreciation for the origin of their intelligence and are realizing how, with a little international exposure, Indian genetics are capable of reaching the extreme ends of success. This narrative has built up more motivation among Indian students to pursue education abroad. They see study abroad programs as a way to explore new opportunities and expose themselves to different perspectives, which in turn can lead to personal growth and professional success. By embracing these opportunities, Indian students are setting themselves up for a bright future and helping to drive innovation and progress in their home country and beyond.
It is perhaps the most compelling reason for Indian students to study abroad – the promise of international exposure. In a world that’s becoming increasingly interconnected, the ability to understand and work with people from diverse backgrounds is more important than ever. By studying abroad, Indian students could gain a broader perspective and develop the skills needed to succeed in a globalized world.
Of course, the decision to study abroad isn’t without its challenges. There are financial implications to consider, as well as visa requirements to navigate. But for Indian students who are willing to leap, the rewards can be life-changing.
The COVID-19 pandemic may have turned the world upside down, but it has also presented unexpected opportunities for students to pursue their dreams of studying abroad. By embracing international exposure, Indian students are seizing the moment and carving out a brighter future for themselves.