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Dreams of studying abroad hang in the balance

KUALA LUMPUR: With private colleges and universities in Malaysia gradually embracing the concept of online learning, students keen to study abroad, however, have found their options severely limited.

The Covid-19 pandemic and closure of international borders have forced Malaysian students to either opt for local universities or to decline offers from universities abroad and reapply once the pandemic subsides.

An American Degree Transfer Program (ADTP) student, who wished to be known only as Shahirah, 20, said she was in a dilemma over pursuing her dream to study in Australia or to completely let go of the offer.

"I submitted applications to several universities in Australia and heard back from many of them with conditional offers.

"In the early stages of the pandemic, I was optimistic of the prospect of studying abroad. Later, when the pandemic stretched on for months, it dawned on me that I might have to give up that dream.

"With the current travel restrictions, I have yet to accept any of these offers as I'm also under sponsorship and as such, can't simply decide on my own.

"Nonetheless, if I have to choose between a twinning programme and foreign university admission, the smarter choice would be the former because it's less risky, both financially and health-wise," she told the New Straits Times.

The Negri Sembilan resident said her sponsors had been encouraging her to opt for a local university.

"Technically, I can accept the conditional offers from foreign universities and proceed with online classes, which will start in July.

"The universities will notify their students when they are allowed to return to campus as that decision hinges on Australia's border restriction policies.

"But I cannot do so unless permitted by my sponsors. Until then, I will not be allowed to participate in the online classes.

"I have mixed feelings. On the one hand, I've been mentally preparing for the possibility of not studying abroad.

"On the other hand, it's frustrating that I went through the application process and secured placement only for it to go to waste if I have to turn down the offer."

Shahirah said her peers in ADTP under the same sponsorship shared her views.

"We are disappointed to be given these options since most of us have secured a place, even with conditional offers.

"The very least our sponsors could do is allow us to accept these offers and proceed with online learning until we get to go to campuses abroad.

"Instead, they are asking us to either proceed with studying abroad this July if we can attend courses physically or opt for local universities.

"Unless Australia's borders open by July, we will only get to study locally and our offers are gone just like that," she said.

Another student, who wished to be known only as Isyraf, 20, said it was "mentally devastating" for him to turn down an offer to study in the University of Michigan last year.

He is, however, optimistic about reapplying for a placement this year.

"Sponsorship contract terms aside, there were two possibilities if I had accepted the offer.

"Option A was to enrol in the university anyway, but I'd have to attend online classes based on the United States time zone, which means Zoom classes at 4am in Malaysia. Option B was to defer my enrolment and enrol in the university one semester late.

"Both options were unfavourable as option A would put me in a difficult learning environment while option B is simply impossible because of the financial terms of my sponsorship.

"After negotiations with my sponsors, we declined the offers with an option to reapply this year.

"I think I speak for most when I say that 2020 was a bad year to be an international student applying to universities abroad."

Angleswaran Shakilan, 20, said applying for university placements abroad during the pandemic was an "interesting experience".

"I took my Test of English as a Foreign Language exam prior to my application and frankly, there was not much difference because everything was done online."

Angleswaran is optimistic about his applications to several US universities as some of his peers had been allowed to attend physical classes in universities abroad since the end of last year.

"I'm looking at direct overseas admission this year. Hopefully, I can enrol as a sophomore.

"There are no plans currently to change that decision."

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