Students face rescheduling challenge

Several countries have offered favorable employment opportunities for Chinese graduates studying abroad.

Since last year, international students can get their student visa extended to 6-12 months after graduation from UK colleges, while those who finish studies in Australia and meet the requirements can get a three-year work visa.

Canada and Japan have also offered favorable policies for international students to get work visas.

The ongoing situation isn't likely to affect this year's Chinese applicants in the long run, experts say. For example, for those applying to study in France, most of the application process will last until June, and some colleges will postpone face-to-face interviews or adopt online interviews, which will keep admission and visas from being interrupted, says Li Zhiping, an officer in charge of European school application at the Guangdong-based EIC Education Group.

As for language tests that are suspended due to the outbreak, Li suggests students take the break as an opportunity to pick up new pertinent professional programs and improve language skills for the upcoming tests and interviews.

Students who have already received their letter of admission should pay close attention to entry and visa policy changes of the country they will leave for, experts say.

Several foreign universities have taken measures to help Chinese students who are affected by the coronavirus situation.

The University of Melbourne and the University of Sydney have allowed students to arrive one to three weeks later than the admission date. The University of New South Wales is developing online programs to keep affected students up to date with schoolwork.

The University of Huddersfield in the UK has arranged its own language tests for Chinese students who couldn't take IELTS as a result of the outbreak.

"We've also developed many online courses for our students and partners," says Chen Jia, a senior official at the university's China Office.

Faculty members in different disciplines will be assigned to give lectures and answer students' questions via certain online platforms, such as WeChat and Sina Weibo, Chen Jia says, adding that Brexit will offer equal learning and work opportunities for Chinese and European Union students.

"We will keep close contact with students from Wuhan and offer timely and necessary aid," Chen Jia adds.

Speaking about the future, Chen Jia says the UK university will greet international students outside the European Union region with open arms, and Chinese students will get more attention since they account for the biggest section of international students.

Huang Shiming, who runs a private overseas education consulting business in Changsha, capital of Hunan province, says that his business will not be affected much by the epidemic.

Most of his customers applying to study abroad signed contracts last year, Huang says.

"The earliest application will end in November, and I'm sure the virus situation will be long gone," Huang says.

At the moment, his company has offered online training to its students. "So, it's business as usual."

Chen Yong is now busy preparing for his upcoming SAT and a few Advanced Placement courses that will earn him credit points in college.

"I'll apply for the UK at the same time, and see what happens," Chen Yong says.

"With Brexit, we international students might get better opportunities in seeking an internship or a job."

Contact the writer at yangfeiyue@chinadaily.com.cn