Dos and Don'ts for students studying or planning to go abroad amid coronavirus crises

Thousands of Indian students, currently studying abroad or wanting to study abroad, have been severely affected by the coronavirus outbreak. Most of the universities and colleges of Canada, The UK, USA, Germany, Australia, and other countries have been taking steps to avoid the pandemic in one or another way. Some institutes have stopped taking in-person classes and now been delivering lectures online. Many universities have deferred their May sessions or have been giving the options to international students to defer to September or January intake. However, there are exceptions, such as Canada is allowing international students to come, who have a valid study permit on or before March 18.

"If you're an international student who has a valid study permit or were approved for a study permit on or before March 18, 2020 and have no symptoms of #COVID19, you are exempt from the travel restrictions and are able to travel to Canada."    - IRCC tweet

In this current situation students who are travelling are advised to take extra care of the circumstances. They are encouraged to follow the rules and regulations introduces by their destined countries. For example, Canada has introduced a strict policy under which international travelers coming to Canada will have to go through a mandatory health checkup and 14 days of self-isolation period. The persons failing to do so may have to face severe penalties.

At this moment, several Canadian universities are letting the new students either start their classes online from India or defer till the September session. Both options are good. The Canadian government has issued a statement in which it is written that students' PGWP will not be affected if they choose to start their classes online from their home countries.

"If your in-class courses are being moved to an online-only format because of COVID-19, your eligibility for the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program won't be affected. This includes students who have a study permit or who have been approved for a study permit for a program starting in May or June but who are unable to travel to Canada at this time due to travel restrictions. International students in this situation may begin their classes while outside Canada and may complete up to 50% of their program while outside Canada if they cannot travel to Canada sooner."

Taking care of their own and others' health is critical to defeating the COVID 19 pandemic. Here are the things that students abroad or going abroad should care about in the coming months. but first, it is crucial to know the symptoms of Corvid-19

COVID-19 Symptoms

People suffering from the covid-19 may experience the symptoms that include

1. cough
2. fever
3. tiredness
4. difficulty breathing (severe cases)

Although these symptoms may arise in the common cold too, one should immediately inform his or her condition to local authorities.

Recommendations for Indian students studying abroad

• Avoid participating in large gatherings
• Avoid unnecessary travelling
• Practice frequent hand washing
• Cover your nose and mouth with mast/handkerchief/tissue while sneezing and coughing
• See a doctor if you feel unwell
• If possible, take lectures online at your hostel or accommodation
• Maintain social distance
• Ask for help from your college/university
• Maintain social distance
• Do not make hasty decisions for travelling back to India
• Be in contact with a parent for emotional and financial support
• Have enough stock of food and medicines
• If your study visa is expiring and for other related matters contact with embassies

Recommendations for Indian students planning to travel abroad for studies

• If possible, you should defer your May intake.
• You must have health insurance if they choose to travel to their study destination
• If you have any of the symptoms mentioned above, then you should avoid travelling
• If you are travelling abroad and do not know how you will survive during the self-isolation period, you should avoid travelling to Canada or to the countries which have made the self-isolation mandatory on arrival.
• If you experience these symptoms while travelling, then you should inform the medical representatives immediately after reaching.

International universities and colleges are accepting students for September or January intakes. So, if your IELTS or GMAT or other required exams is clear then you should get enrolled for September/January intakes because the competition is likely to get hard as many students having a valid study permit will be postponing their studies. For more information, please contact our study visa experts. You can contact us on 92563-92563.