By Yash Yadav
Omicron which is a highly mutated and a Covid variant of concern has greatly impacted overseas education, majorly students mobility.
According to a remark made by the Ministry of External Affairs in India, only 2.6 lakh students in 2020 registered for overseas studies which are comparatively very low to that of in 2019 which were 5.6 lakh.
This data showed a decline of 55% in international students.
Presently, due to the new Omicron variation, the Indian government has announced that regular commercial international flights are banned until January 31, 2022.
The US Transportation Security Administration stated that 16% fewer travellers are going through their air terminals. Because of movement limitations, campus closures are approaching, hence, global students have dropped and changed their overseas education plans. This implies higher education establishments of major nations like Australia, the UK, and the US expect a significant decrease in global students for the forthcoming semesters.
India has achieved a remarkable milestone of over a billion vaccination since its immunisation drive in the year starting. Other than being immunized with two doses in India, students can likewise choose booster shots when they travel abroad.
The UK which was majorly chosen for foreign studies in 2021, as other destinations had closed international borders, presently is suffering from 90,000 cases daily out of which 10,000 are Omicron cases.
The British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson has declared the new protocols. International students will get a booster shot when they reach the United Kingdom. Moreover, they must have received two doses of the Covidshield vaccine. A new report showed that booster shots effectively protect individuals against the new Omicron variation of the Covid-19 virus.
The closure of the international borders of different nations has additionally left numerous students with extreme consequences. As nations close their lines, students likewise need to manage reduced flight recurrence, visa approval latency, quarantine rules, different limitations, and incoming flight bans, which have expanded their general costs proceeding to sustain themselves abroad.
A study showed that 40% of students had lost their employment offers, temporary jobs while 13% of students have postponed their graduation because of the current situation.
Additionally, there are 55% chances that lower-income students have delayed their graduation compared to their high-income students.
Given the ongoing uncertainties due to the Omicron variant, students should move to online degrees with the best universities. Beginning from Bachelor’s to Master’s degree, peers can grab this opportunity to stay home and enjoy the flexibility and advantages of overseas education at home, without having to face the problems of travel restrictions or financial burdens.
All things considered, this can be an amazing open door for aspiring students to study abroad. As institutions and governments overseas offer extensive relaxation and support, students can without a doubt look into online courses to accomplish their academic and career goals amidst the ongoing pandemic.
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