How COVID-19 has impacted international students from India

Arjoo Dhundwal

COVID-19 has switched our way of learning to virtual learning. Now we're having more online lectures and less practical work. While in self isolation, I'm exploring Australian agriculture's advanced technologies, farming practices and cropping techniques. Also, I am gaining a deep knowledge of the application of molecular markers in plants which my supervisors Dr Urmil Bansal and Professor Harbans Bariana are masters in. 

Sunny Maanju

COVID-19 has not stopped the process of learning, rather it has changed the way of learning. Now it takes us more time than usual to work in labs due to the social distancing norms. It's not possible for all group members to work in the labs simultaneously at the same time.

I'm always positive about the situation we're currently facing, since we will have unique things to learn like online meetings, lectures and remote learning. So, in the end if we have something to lose, then on the other hand, we also have many things to gain.

Anjali Rana

I chose the University of Sydney as it is one of the premium institutes in the world. It provides a great opportunity for international students to explore more about avant-garde technologies in the research field and us to achieve our potential.

In my new study routine, I have frequent interactive zoom sessions with Professor Harbans Bariana where I learn a lot about Australian agriculture and its culture. The zoom meetings help me be more connected with the professors.

Bhushan Mehta

The health and safety standards of the University are quite commendable. In my opinion, the University of Sydney is a perfect institution for students who really want to use the power of education to make a better world. It has very strong research infrastructure.

The scope of the University of Sydney extends to the broader areas of social welfare. Also, the strong work, health and safety protocols make this prestigious institution more liveable and adaptive.

Hemant Tuteja

The University of Sydney is a highly research-intensive university and that attracted me to choose this university. The Plant Breeding Institute is known for its research excellence in the field of wheat rust resistance breeding all over the world. I'm an agriculture student so there is no better place for me than this.

During COVID-19, I have online Q&A sessions with Professor Bariana and that helps me a lot in learning the agriculture scenario of Australia. I also have zoom meetings with many University professors and that helps me in diversifying my knowledge. 

Sandhya Goswami

I'm learning about the various cropping patterns adopted in Australian agriculture and about the rust control in wheat. I have also learnt how insecticides and pesticides are marketed here, and about seed distribution systems in Australia. I learnt how the seed certification is being done here, how the purity of seed is maintained, and also about major irrigation systems.

I also learnt what protocols are to be adopted while working in greenhouses. In addition to this, Dr Harbans and Dr Urmil taught us about the scoring and DNA extraction method, all while practising social distancing.