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As I sit here on this cardiology ward, thinking of the best way to start this piece, waiting for my beeper to order me back to work, I realise something. After everything that has happened, this is the first time I’ve sat down to reflect on how drastically life has changed for me and for all of us.

To say that 2020 has been a disruptive year for school and university students would be an understatement. In the past six months learning has been shifted online, travel restrictions have impacted international students, exams have been cancelled and there has been little clarity around grades and university admissions.

Prospective students may think they’ve drawn the short straw as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, whether they are going to university this year or planning to apply for the next academic year.

Although the virus has undoubtedly changed what the university experience looks like, the glass isn’t half empty and new students should not be worried about making university plans because of the uncertainty that Covid-19 has brought.

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With A-level results day fast approaching in the UK (results are out on 13 August), students will be eager to find out whether they have achieved their first (or second) choice of university. Results day in Scotland is slightly earlier, on 4 August. 

Covid-19 has drastically changed the educational landscape for millions of university students around the world, and international students have their own set of unique challenges. The many sudden changes, along with the chronic stress of the pandemic, may pose mental-health challenges, particularly if students suffer from pre-existing mental-health issues. 

My university suspended classes for two weeks in March. After that, all classes resumed online. While my university has closed its doors as part of public health measures to limit the spread of Covid-19, I have developed a new academic hobby: attending webinars. This has become my way of being innovative and re-prioritising what I value in my own academic life. I have reimagined the possibilities to both keep myself busy and learn about new things.

I grew up in a small country tucked away in Southeast Asia. Malaysia presented me with a set of unique opportunities and perspectives that I would not have experienced anywhere else.

Perhaps because of the differences in people, cultures, and traditions that were so prevalent in the country, but celebrated by everybody, I am curious about other people and places. I grew up with an ambition to become a global citizen with the ability to move around and find community in all corners of the world. 

Once, I was under the illusion that a PhD and a first-class undergraduate degree in engineering would lead to a great job with minimal effort.

I had completed some industrial projects/work experience during my PhD, received a few personal and professional development awards and some journal and conference publications. Although I lacked full-time industrial placement/experience in my field, I deemed my professional portfolio reasonably good.

The Covid-19 outbreak has changed the way that universities function. Prior to the pandemic, thousands of students from all over the world descended on campuses to learn in lectures, discuss ideas during seminars, socialise with peers and join societies and clubs.

From 1 January 2021, the new UK immigration system will lead to many changes for EU/EEA nationals wishing to live, study and work in the UK

The UK government announced on 23 June this year that EU, EEA and Swiss nationals and their family members will not retain their current entitlement to home fee status or financial support from Student Finance England for courses starting in the 2021-2022 academic year.

This announcement covers tuition fee status and eligibility for student finance in England only. We are waiting to hear from the other countries in the UK.