Germany has been welcoming international students to its educational premises for quite some time now. Among the thousands of international student numbers, many Pakistani students have also found their academic oasis in Germany, the land of culture, art, and academic excellence. But the situation has been quite challenging in the past few months due to Covid-19, and international students have been facing difficulties worldwide.
As reported by Studying-in-Germany.org, the latest statistics have shown that the number of Pakistani students pursuing their qualification in Germany is quite significant. From 374,951 international students enrolled in higher education institutions in Germany, approximately 5,000 students come from Pakistan. International arrivals to universities in Germany have been on the rise, especially in the past years, however, the current pandemic situation has created an unsettling uncertainty among students.
The ‘proximity’ of digital campuses has become a controversial topic among troubled students. While waking up to attend classes in the other room sounds as convenient and practical as it can get, the trouble is that not everyone can have access to the online classrooms that have become so essential ever since the coronavirus outbreak. While this issue has been relevant for students worldwide, Pakistani students abroad also had to deal with the same problem.
During a time when many international students have lost their part-time jobs, through which they earned a largely needed extra income, switching to an online classroom has imposed a couple of challenges. It is true that technology is accessible to so many of us nowadays, but it is also followed by a cost, that not everyone can afford, unfortunately. So it is of importance that the conditions of students are thought of before any restrictions and regulations are made.
So, it is difficult to say how many international students will be able to fully access the digital learning methods that Germany has implemented so well. As the coronavirus pandemic continues to be a threat to not only the financial state of international students, but also to the economy of the world and especially the health of the population, digital classrooms will continue to be a go-to solution for higher education institutions in Germany.
One would think that the issue of online classes could have been avoided if simply proper safety measures were implemented, but there is still skepticism when it comes to the availability of the necessary spaces for practicing social distancing rules in the traditional classroom
Coronavirus has surfaced at a time when students had been exploring their options, not only in their home countries, but also abroad. Many students are now reluctant to travel to other countries during such uncertain times, and especially due to the financial challenges that the pandemic has had on families and individuals. And, with the authorities placing their main focus in preventing the virus from spreading, these students have been left in limbo.
While it would be ideal for Pakistani students to be able to attend their distance learning courses from Germany, where the internet connection is not an issue, actually living in Germany comes with its costs, which include accommodation and food costs among others. In Pakistan, it is evident that only students who are living in non-rural zones may be able to consider distance learning courses, locally or abroad.
Essentially, it all falls down to how attentive to people’s needs governments and relevant authorities should be when making decisions. One would think that the issue of online classes could have been avoided if simply proper safety measures were implemented, but there is still skepticism when it comes to the availability of the necessary spaces for practicing social distancing rules in the traditional classroom.
One thing that should be a priority, alongside the fight against the virus, is also education and access to education. Apart from the obvious importance of education, this ‘industry’ also contributes to the economy of countries, especially international arrivals. Although Germany’s economy might not be dependent on international students, there are certain countries who benefit from international students just as much as these students benefit from their education systems.
Alternatively, a solution to all problems imposed by the pandemic, would be a vaccine. Unfortunately, one is not available yet and whether it will be in the foreseeable future, it remains to be seen. The Federal Government and KfW in Germany are currently offering financial support for current affected students in Germany, including foreign students. Scholarship providers, like the DAAD in Germany, have been offering continued support for scholarship holders during the pandemic, to avoid leaving them with no financial support.
Germany has started offering distance learning courses for international students to a greater extent. Higher education institutions in Germany are recognized for their academic excellence and international students tend to love the comfortable environment, part-time jobs, and the affordability of this country. In addition to its free education, international students may even benefit from the numerous scholarships that different institutions and organizations offer in Germany.
The writer is a freelancer