The Irish government decided not to include the non-EU international students in the rebate scheme
ICOS – the Irish Council for International Students has commented on the decision as “deeply unfair and a missed opportunity”.
ICOS hosted a webinar on International Students’ Day on 17 November where the by challenges faced by international students were discussed. It highlighted the importance of international students bringing diversity and multi-culturalism to the education system. The host and executive director of ICOS Laura Harmon urged the educators, providers and institutions to make sure that the international students have the best student experience as they become ambassadors for Ireland once their course is over, and they return home.
Non-European International students feel the effects of the pandemic as much as their European peers but the government scheme will not provide them with compensation.
The one-off payments are aimed at students over a move to greater online learning in 2020, but non-EEA students will not be eligible.
ICOS believes that all international students should be treated the same regardless of where they come from, and it is important the institutions providing their education stand by them.
This year has been challenging for everyone involved in the Irish education system including the students who decided bravely to enrol in courses in foreign countries far from home.
Two international students from Mexico and India shared their hardship at the event describing their experience during the first lockdown, issues surrounding mental health and financial difficulties.
Lorna Fitzpatrick, a president of the Union of Students in Ireland, stressed in her speech the importance for the universities and institutions to learn from the mistakes during the lockdown and take particular care of the students during this difficult times.
Students should not be considered as a source of funding, but they need to be seen as an integral part of the Irish higher education.
The institutions need to remain sensible about the exaggerated cost and not to risk their reputation. It could have a damaging effect on attracting the international students. The students should be supported especially now with the Christmas period approaching and bringing additional difficulties to them.
Overall the work of universities and higher education providers deserve praise for the work during the pandemic that has been carried out with limited resources.
Louis Staunton from the International Office of Trinity College Dublin mentioned that higher education institutions responded very promptly to the pandemic by establishing not just online provision of the lectures but also a wide-range of student supports. For example, the College supported students by constantly updating students with key information, as well as creating virtual events where students could connect with each other using breakout rooms.
