Joyce Appiah-Agyekum’s thoughts: Impact of COVID-19 on study abroad

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Photo: Joyce Appiah-Agyekum, CEO of Education Consult Solution (EduSol)

The Coronavirus or COVID-19 outbreak has caused a lot of disruption to life all over the world. It has affected both economic and social activities globally among others and caused low productivity in all spheres of business and economic life. There is also its attendant closure of businesses, various travel restrictions and bans of movements internationally and domestically.

As a result, tourism has greatly been affected and quite linked to tourism studies abroad. Closure of schools has led to many online studies on platforms such as zoom. Many universities have had to make changes in their operations and innovate many ways by which teaching and learning happen. As Coronavirus has become an important issue worldwide, it is important that much care is taken in order to curb it’s devastating nature and to see to it that the world can still operate in a safer way.

Many deaths have been recorded worldwide and as there seem to be an apparent new wave or second wave further precautions have been put in place so as to reduce the rate of infections and further spread. Countries like Germany, France are on a second lockdown.

In Ghana further calls for coronavirus protocols are being pronounced and enforced. All these are measures to find solutions and stop the virus from further spread. As schools and other businesses seek to work to prevent their total collapse it is important for all to understand this call and seek to undertake measures that will be appropriate. Should companies seek to adapt to working from home, many workers may not be laid off if COVID-19 protocols are well observed.

Thus the wearing of nose masks, washing of hands, use of sanitizers, social distancing and all other COVID-19 protocols are necessary to be enforced now more than before. The whole world is really in uncertain times and for many looking to study abroad, there is the need to understand that universities are still keen to welcome international students.

For this reason, Education Consult Solution (EduSol) is here to take you through the right processes. We will assist all your needs relating to study abroad. Education and career counselling, choosing the right university and location, applying for the right visa category and travelling safely is paramount.

We will make available to you institutions that are ready and interested in the wellbeing of international students. If your interest is to study abroad you still can, but you necessarily have to understand the issues relating to Corona Virus and Study or travel abroad. So please consider your study abroad schedule and make the right choices. There is no reason why you shouldn’t study abroad once the pandemic is understood, respected and managed.

One study has shown that, although more than 40% of international students who planned to postpone their studies changed their mind, only about 5% cancelled their study abroad plans altogether. The rest are taking further safety precautions seriously and looking at the total environment and how things are unfolding to firm up their decisions.

If it is now probably too late for you to study abroad in 2020, you can still take steps to begin your processes in good time and begin your study in January/March/April/August or September 2021. Assuming restrictions all around the world are lifted by mid-2021 or there is a better way to curtail the virus by then, the process of studying abroad should return to normal.

How the pandemic will affect international study in the long term remains to be seen. It could lead to increased demand in 2021 as those who delayed their studies in 2020 may apply to study in 2021. So if you are interested, the earlier you begin the processes the better.

Whatever the situation is EduSol is here to make sure that educational advice, career counselling, document formatting, university admission, study visa, and travel arrangement are seamless. We work hand in hand with partner institutions abroad. If you are looking at studying abroad, we are happy to work with you to make it happen. International education and exposure OPEN doors for many and we “hold your hands” to take you through these doors! If you want to study abroad during this COVID-19 era do not fear or wait. We will take you through.

Whether or not you’ll be able to study abroad will depend on the restrictions in the country you want to study in and what the relating issues are in your home country at the time you travel out to study.

Every university will have its own procedure in place, we assist you to select the best country and university that we will make your study worthwhile. If you are unsure of what to do, we will make it clearer and offer a better process. Many universities are actively still seeking international students to enroll and because we work with them we are aware of the many alternative arrangements in place if you can’t travel immediately or when the term starts. We will turn your anxiety into reality.

At EduSol we unearth the educational potential of students and offer them the opportunity to study, learn and live abroad. We are always at your service and ready to answer any questions you may have. Our services are clean and client appropriate

>>>the writer is the CEO of Education Consult Solution (EduSol). EduSol is your number one educational consultancy and recruitment partner for institutions abroad. We unearth your educational potential and offer you the opportunity to study, learn and live abroad. We are located at Palm Wine Junction Shell Filling Station, Off the 37 – Trade Fair Giffard Road or contact us today on +233 540 611 829 / +233 509 014 339 or Visit us at www.edusolconsult.com to learn more.

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