August 05, 2022
Amid Uncertainty and Constraints: Russians Choose New Study Locations
D Due to the lasting effects of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which include travel restrictions into and out of the country as well as restrictions on international payments, studying abroad has become more difficult for Russian students.
A representative claimed in a media interview that it is difficult, expensive, and complicated for Russian students to travel to popular study locations like the UK, despite a consistent demand from students.
Take the University of West London, for example, which hasn't been explicit in the media about not accepting Russian students. After facing backlash on social media for turning down a Russian applicant in response to the recent events in Ukraine, the university changed its mind and cited an "internal miscommunication."
…banning Russian students will prevent Russian and non-Russian students from developing friendships and connecting with one another...
The summer camp company PGL has stated that it is not currently accepting Russian students. "We felt that having Russian groups or students on sites at this time brought significant welfare concerns as well as considerable administrative barriers," a representative of the organisation said.
Elena Solomonova, a director at the Moscow-based company Insight-Lingua, claimed that she is currently forging new connections with organisations in countries like Dubai that have kept diplomatic ties with Russia. The agent also mentioned that students are now seeking out less-challenging locations to complete their education.
Elena Solomonova is assisting language students in getting a head start in their careers by preparing to send junior groups to Turkey for English language courses that are, in her words, "more or less similar to what they have in UK or Malta," but direct travel options mean this is more affordable and logistically easier.
While Solomonova acknowledges the justification for some countries' decisions to refuse admission to or expel Russian students, she contends that doing so will prevent Russian and non-Russian students from forming bonds and interacting with one another. She thinks it will hinder us from realising our aspirations for the world.
Posted in News and tagged News, Russia, Ukraine, Russian Students, PGL, Insight-Lingua
Bookmark the Permalink
