As the novel coronavirus has spread like wildfire and caused a pandemic that has taken over the world in the last decade, almost every sector in the world is coming to a halt. 

Colleges and universities have also completely shut down its campuses and many students who aren’t able to return to their home countries have found themselves under lockdown indefinitely.

This is definitely a very stressful time for students all over the world who aren’t able to return to their home and are quarantined in hostels due to lockdown. But during this lockdown period, it is important for students to not panic and ensure safety of themselves by taking the necessary precautions advised by the government. If you have found yourself under this situation, here are some tips to help you navigate through the COVID-19 outbreak:

Maintaining A Healthy And Safe Environment

At this time when the outbreak is spreading, it should be the top priority for students to ensure a healthy and hygienic environment around them. Students should educate themselves on what to know about the coronavirus and follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is important to be aware of the coronavirus symptoms and seek medical help when sick. Taking necessary measures like cleaning daily, washing hands and maintaining hygiene has become crucial today.

Relocate To Safe Campus Housing

Even though colleges have closed off campuses and students have returned to their homes, this is not possible for everyone. Especially for international students who are unable to travel due to lockdown, it becomes imperative that colleges offer safe housing on campus for those students to practise social distancing and staying safe. You can talk to your college administration immediately in case you are unable to travel back home.

Find Free Meals On And Off Campus

A major backlash of this pandemic is the shortage of food and necessities as people are stocking up their homes due to panic. If you find yourself running out of food without any availability nearby, you can ask your college to keep the food pantries open and confer with local restaurants and pantries to help out.

Share Resources With Other Students

As many students move back to their homes, there are many essentials they can consider taking back with them or leaving it on campus. It is important that students help each other out and leave resources for the ones that are staying back.

Ensure Necessary Tools For Online Classes

Lastly, as colleges shut down they are shifting to online classes for students to keep their education going during these trying times. Therefore, as you move out of your dorm or stay at an off campus housing, make sure to have a proper internet connection to help you get on with your online classes. If you’re staying on campus, you can ask for a laptop and WiFi provision to access the classes.

It is very important to ensure that wherever you are staying, you are in a hygienic and safe environment where you cannot contract the virus. Students especially need to take extra precautions since colleges and universities are crowded which can be dangerous. Even as colleges close down, it is very crucial to practise social distancing from your peers and stay inside to protect yourself. 

We hope these tips help you navigate through this difficult situation and keep you in the best of health.

Ireland is one of the most popular study abroad destinations for international students, especially Indians. Many Indian students find their way to Ireland for higher education and job opportunities. With Ireland being the hub for international cooperations and one of the safest and friendliest places in the world, many Indian students choose Ireland as their study abroad destination. Currently, there are over 2000 Indian students studying in Ireland. 

Apart from being a hotspot for global companies and a preferred destination for students, there are many other primary and economic reasons that attract Indian students to study in Ireland. Let’s look into each in detail:

English Speaking Country

After the UK, Ireland is the only English speaking country in Europe. Therefore, Indians do not have a language barrier while conversing or pursuing higher education in Ireland. All courses are delivered and taught in English which makes it very easy for Indians.

Scholarships Available

Irish universities are known to provide up to 100% scholarships to international students on the basis of their merit. This surely eases the financial burden over Indian students as many get a percentage of scholarship if not full. On top of that, there are separate scholarships awarded for excellence in sports and achievement in extracurricular activities and postgraduate students.

Innovation and research

Innovative thinking, creativity, and problem-solving are some of the integral aspects of the Irish curriculum. Therefore, Indian students look forward to joining the top research universities in Ireland. Since Irish colleges form the top 1% of research universities it provides huge scope for undergraduate and graduate students to apply for research programs driven by innovation and ample opportunities.

Post-Study Work Visa

One of the biggest advantages of studying in Ireland is the 2-year post-study work visa that is provided to all international students. This proves beneficial for Indian students who are looking for global work opportunities across the world. Once students have found employment, they are also eligible to apply for a green card/work permit if they plan on staying there.

Cost of tuition and living

Studying in Ireland is value for money. Students, therefore, prefer to opt for Ireland because the tuition is comparatively less compared to similar courses in other developed countries, for ex. In UK or USA. Moreover, the cost of living is affordable. Considering the high quality of education, Ireland truly is a value for money destination for studies. These factors chip in when Indian students plan to pursue their education abroad. 

Apart from economic opportunities and cost of living, Ireland is also one of the safest and friendliest places in the world. This is also a deciding factor for Indian students as they do not face racism or any kind of harassment in Irish universities abroad. The students are welcoming since hospitality plays a large role in Irish culture. Other than that, Ireland hosts a strong Indian community, including more than 25,000 Indians estimated to live in the Republic of Ireland, and another 11,000 members living in Northern Ireland. So you don’t really feel far away from home.

If you’re an Indian student looking for study opportunities abroad, Ireland is your best option!

Study Abroad With iStudyAbroad

If you’re planning to study in Ireland and require expert guidance and professional help you can arrange a free consultation with iStudyAbroad. 

iStudyAbroad is India’s no.1 study abroad consultants who help students get access to study abroad programs in top universities across the world. By providing exceptional student-oriented services like career counselling, university shortlisting, exam preparation, applications, visa application, and scholarships, we help students achieve their goals and accomplish their dreams to study abroad in top study destinations. Our international application experts have successfully helped over 1000s of students to study abroad.

Sign up for free counselling to discuss your aspirations with us and get started – https://istudyabroad.co.in/get-started/

University College Cork (UCC), Ireland is one of the most prestigious universities abroad and a top-ranking college situated in Cork, Ireland. Since its foundation back in 1845, it has a rich tradition of scholarships, academics and talented professors from all around the world. UCC also boasts a diverse culture as well with over 3000 international students from over 100 countries in the university. UCC is home to more than 20,000 vibrant undergraduate and postgraduate students along with its thriving campus, eclectic activities, and rigorous academics that attract national as well as international students.

Apart from the rich history and culture, University College Cork offers a highly research-led curriculum to its students that provides a comprehensive and holistic approach towards education and empowers them to work alongside industry giants and develop their skills. UCC’s post-graduate employment statistics also stands at an all-time high of 85% to 90%. These factors highly contribute to making UCC, Ireland a hotspot for undergraduates and postgraduates to enrol and start their careers. If you’re still unsure about where to pursue your higher studies here are 5 reasons why UCC will be a suitable option.

Why study at University College Cork?

Top Ranking University

UCC is among the top 2% of universities in the world and has won The Sunday Times University of the Year 5 times – including 2016 and 2017, which makes it the only Irish university to win two years in a row. It has also recently scored top marks across five core areas in the EU-sponsored U-Multirank, the most comprehensive ranking system internationally. Furthermore, the International Graduate Insight Group ranked UCC 1st in Ireland for its sporting facilities in 2015. Currently, UCC prizes 59 Sports Clubs and 78 active student societies for its pioneering and ingenious students.

Career Opportunities

UCC is a hub for IT, agribusiness, energy, and pharmaceutical multinationals. Corporate giants such as Google, HP, Apple, IBM, Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter, Pfizer, GSK and Genzyme have their headquarters in the city. These strong industry links mean there are excellent placement opportunities both during and after your studies. Every year, approximately 97% of students get a successful campus placement or project from UCC. The city also has several business and leisure developments underway, so in the future, opportunities are bound to increase.

2-Year Post-study Visa

One of the major benefits of studying in Ireland is the post-study visa. International students outside of outside EU and EAA graduating from an Irish university can take advantage of the stay back options that universities in Ireland provide students. Generally, a two-year work permit is provided which makes it easy for students to look for job opportunities in the country after they graduate and work with global companies. Once students have found employment, they are also eligible to apply for a green card/work permit if they plan on staying there.

Scholarships

Depending on the course, UCC has a variety of scholarship options for international students. These merit scholarships range from 25% to 50% tuition fee waiver. On top of that, there are separate scholarships awarded for excellence in sports and achievement in extracurricular activities. The university also grants up to EUR 3000 scholarships for Postgraduate international students. Apart from that, UCC Ireland Meritorious Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship for Indian students who are planning to take admission in undergraduate and post-graduate courses in UCC Ireland 

Hospitality For International Students

UCC’s diverse student community shows its hospitality and openness towards international students. The college takes in 3000 international students annually from over 100 countries all over the world and is one of the most accepting colleges in Ireland. In fact, the UCC International Office was ranked ‘Outstanding’ by Study Portals in the 2016 International Student Satisfaction Awards. This ranking is based on feedback from actual international students across Europe. On the 2016 International Student Barometer over 90% of international students responded that they were either “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with their experience at UCC and they ranked Ireland as the second most satisfactory country in Europe.

Apart from all of the above, UCC is an internationally recognised university with a broad spectrum of over 200 programmes to offer at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels along with a growing number of online courses. What grants UCC its iconic status is the fact that it is the first university in the world that was conferred with the international green flag for environmental friendliness. With so much to offer, UCC becomes a top choice for thousands of international students applying for various programmes from across the world.

Study Abroad With iStudyAbroad

If you’re planning to study in UCC, Ireland and require expert guidance and professional help you can arrange a free consultation with iStudyAbroad. 

iStudyAbroad is India’s no.1 study abroad consultants who help students get access to study abroad programs in top universities across the world. By providing exceptional student-oriented services like career counselling, university shortlisting, exam preparation, applications, visa application, and scholarships, we help students achieve their goals and accomplish their dreams to study abroad in top study destinations. Our international application experts have successfully helped over 1000s of students to study abroad.

Sign up for a free counselling to discuss your aspirations with us and get started – https://istudyabroad.co.in/get-started/