Students mull local options as overseas study dreams crash

new delhi — With an acceptance letter from Australia’s Deakin University, 21-year-old Triptha Luthra was on cloud nine a month back but is now glued to TV following news updates from across the globe about the coronavirus pandemic as uncertainty surrounds her study abroad dream.

For Anoushka Ray, who had plans to go to New York for the session beginning in September, the development is demotivating but not a factor to change her entire life plan.

However, Tara Osan, who had acceptance letters from multiple colleges in Canada and Italy, believes its time to look for a plan B and apply for colleges in India.

The three are among, several students whose study abroad plans have either been shattered or delayed due to lockdown restrictions imposed in

Tara Osan

who has acceptance letters from multiple colleges in Canada and Italy

various countries across the globe leading to suspension of classes and visa processes.

Equally hard pressed are those students who are already enrolled in courses abroad and are in final year with no clarity on jobs and their visa deadlines racing against lockdown timelines besides education loans adding financial strain. “I had plans to study Masters in Architecture at Deakin University in Australia. I was supposed to go there soon and was waiting for my exams for undergraduate degree to be over. But now it feels like time has frozen,” she said.

“I had not applied for further studies in any college in India and the option of taking up a job or internship also looks a distant dream here with the economic slowdown on the doorstep once the lockdown is lifted,” she added.

“Studying abroad does not look like a possible thing this year so I will now look for a plan B and start applying for colleges here,” Tara Osan said.

However, for Anoushka Ray, who wanted to study Liberal Arts in New York, the plan is only deferred but not cancelled.

“Planning to study abroad is a long process, I have invested way too much both financially as well as mentally in the process so altering an entire life plan because of the situation at the moment, does not seem to be wise decision. I will go for next session but I will go. I am reaching out to my university in New York to see if my admission can be considered for next fall,” she said.

According to Study Abroad counsellors, the situation looks grim and might affect long term plans for many.

“There are many students who have already got admission but are now reconsidering because the classes have moved online and there is no clarity by when situation will improve.

“So for students who actually want to live abroad, paying a heft fees just to attended classes online does not seem to be a lucrative option,” Anupam Singha, who runs a Study Abroad consultancy firm in Delhi, said. —

Studying abroad does not look like a possible thing this year so I will now look for a plan B and start applying for colleges here