Back in May 2020, almost 70% of incoming international students envisioned that by September, they would be able to travel overseas to begin their university courses. As the situation remained uncertain, many applicants chose to defer their entry until January 2021 with the hope of gaining highly valued international experience. We spoke to three students about starting their courses remotely, coping with constant change and plans to travel to for study.

By Lauren Valentine

Kenza, LLM Master of Laws, Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU), UK

“I’m currently still at home in Morocco, but I’m planning on applying for the visa in mid-February in order to arrive in the UK by mid-March. I have started my course online: we’ve had an induction meeting and it was great! I find the canvas very reliable but of course I would love for the situation to get back to normal ASAP.

The university has helped me a lot throughout the process actually. Whenever I have the slightest questions, my student counsellor does his best to answer them.

I’m looking forward to a lot of things but if I’m to pick one I would say meeting everyone and just having a casual outing to get to know other people.”

Yanet, PhD Psychology, Maynooth University, Ireland

“Due to the COVID-19 general situation I still don’t know when I will be able to travel. For now, I have been focusing on getting to know more about MU through the website and through Campus Connect. I have been getting in touch with my PhD supervisor, who has been so helpful and flexible, as is the university. I will be familiarizing with the subject of research, reading the literature related to it and working with my supervisor on the research project.

The university has been very flexible letting me to start the PhD from my home country, Cuba, during such difficult times for all, which I appreciated very much. Their communication channels through email and Campus Connect chat have worked very well when I have needed.

I am looking forward to achieving my PhD and being surrounded by friends and people to share with, not only scientific knowledge, but also hobbies and cultural topics. I believe that enjoying cultural life can enhance our creativity, social and empathic abilities that are so needed in scientific communities. This is my first time studying abroad so I am wide open to learn from new experiences and from colleagues.”

Anusha, MSc Embedded Systems and IC Design, LJMU, UK

“2020 was definitely the most uncertain year of my life. Initially I received an offer for September 2020, but Covid paused my plans. My final exams got delayed so I had to defer my offer for January 2021. I applied for a Masters in Embedded Systems and IC Design with a placement year. This course is unique; not many universities offer it, but LJMU is one of them.

The situation was getting better before the new strain in the UK made things difficult, especially international students. Our flights are cancelled, tickets have been rescheduled and our plans to travel to the UK before the start of the first semester are delayed.

Attending classes live and online feels different for an international student, but I’m thankful to our faculty who are trying their best to give us a classroom experience. People are patient with us, answering every email and query within no time. This makes us feel a little comfortable and I cannot wait to personally meet everyone. I hope things go back to normal as soon as possible and I’ll be able to join you all in Liverpool by the second week of February.”

We admire these students, and the thousands of others like them, for their resilience, adaptability and determination to pursue their goals and continue with their education under such challenging circumstances. We hope that you’ll be able to travel to the UK soon (but safely!) to begin your journeys!