Studying abroad has been a beloved tradition of many institutions for years now. Studying abroad is the process by which students get to travel overseas and take classes and receive credit for those classes.
The COVID-19 pandemic has put quite a damper on college students wanting to enjoy this program. Currently, the plan is to continue studying abroad this year, in places that are able to receive overseas visitors.
COVID-19 has struck the global economy in many ways including tourism. Study abroad programs across the world contributed millions in other countries’ economies, according to brooking.com “The COVID crisis has led to a collapse in international travel.”
According to the World Tourism Organization, international tourist arrivals declined globally by seventy-three percent in 2020, with one billion fewer travelers compared to 2019, putting in jeopardy between 100 and 120 million direct tourism jobs.
Recently, study abroad programs have been up and going again with the exception of a few countries whose travel is currently restricted but will this last? As we know, variants are bi-products of any virus and covid-19 is not an exception. Studying abroad is a risky game right now being that things within the virus are changing so quickly.
If a different and new variant comes up before the beginning of these trips, it can easily get the entire program canceled. So is it worth traveling during this time of uncertainty?
College students only have so many years where they can be flexible with their time.
COVID-19 doesn’t look like it’s going anywhere, anytime soon, so students should go on these ventures and take advantage of what we do have, even if it’s limited. The risk is worth the reward. Just remember to do the proper process of masking up and being aware of the people around you.
