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Although many consulates general in the city insisted it was "business as usual" as far as visa application was concerned, students in Shanghai planning to study abroad are fretting that a protracted SARS epidemic may affect their plans.
According to consulate generals of Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States, three major destinations for students, there has been no change in the visa application process.
"It's business as usual," said Mark Cooding, a British consul.
But students may have to undergo additional medical observation to ensure they do not have SARS after arriving at the destination country.
For instance, some educational institutes in Australia have made special arrangements for receiving students from SARS-affected areas. That may include a 10-day restriction from joining classes after their arrival, medical screening, and a ban on returning home in SARS-affected areas during term breaks.
Despite this, however, some students are still worried about the "possible adverse effects if the disease continues."
"I learnt from the Website that the University of California-Berkeley has rejected students from the epidemic-hit areas to join its summer sessions," said Rose Xu, who has enrolled at a university in Arizona. "I worry that my university will take similar measures."
Others who plan to study abroad next year are concerned about the suspension of crucial pre-qualification exams, such as the Test of English as a Foreign Language, demanded by US-based universities, and the International English Language Testing System, required by countries like the UK and Australia.
The next TOEFL set for May 10 has been put off until August 23 while the IELTS, set to take place on May 24 in the city, has also been suspended, likely until August.
(eastday.com May 10, 2003)
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