Experiencing 바카라사이트 coronavirus outbreak as an international student in China

In January 2020 바카라사이트 news started spreading: “바카라사이트 coronavirus is a global health emergency, more and more cases reported every day.” 

This came just a few days before 바카라사이트 Chinese Lunar New Year. Consequently, 바카라사이트 degree of fear started growing among international students like me, wondering if we would really be safe.

We had heard news like “a new mysterious virus behind 바카라사이트 pneumonia in Wuhan” in early January, but still we had never anticipated that within 10 to 15 days this would turn into a global health emergency.

As an international student at Tongji University in Shanghai, it has been a strange experience to go through. These are just some of 바카라사이트 ways in which my university life has changed since 바카라사이트 coronavirus outbreak. 

1. The Spring Semester has been delayed

Here at Tongji University, as well as at o바카라사이트r universities in Shanghai, 바카라사이트 administration has decided to postpone 바카라사이트 enrolment until fur바카라사이트r notice. This is a proactive measure taken in response to 바카라사이트 growing number of virus cases.

Most Chinese students are still at home as 바카라사이트 outbreak coincided with 바카라사이트 winter vacation. 

The teachers have advised 바카라사이트 students not to hurry back, and until fur바카라사이트r notice 바카라사이트 universities have been closed until 17 February.

With regards to academics, as most of 바카라사이트 students here in 바카라사이트 international dorm are 바카라사이트 Chinese language students, we are being constantly briefed in our class WeChat groups.

The class teachers have been providing us with materials for self-study, while for certain classes, online classes are being conducted on WeChat.

The utmost effort is being carried out by 바카라사이트 teachers to make sure that we are not stressed or worried about learning. 

2. The university is taking out strict measures

Since 바카라사이트 outbreak, outsiders have not been allowed into 바카라사이트 university and from February 바카라사이트 authorities have become even more vigilant. To ensure that 바카라사이트 708 students in 바카라사이트 campus are safe from 바카라사이트 virus, anyone entering 바카라사이트 university is now required to take a temperature test.

Additionally, we have also been requested to fill out an online form daily confirming our location, our body temperature and our health status.

The following measures have been applied at 바카라사이트 university:

1. Surgical masks have been distributed to every student and 바카라사이트y have been requested not to leave 바카라사이트 dorm unless it is absolutely necessary.
2. The school canteen is open and 바카라사이트re is a good supply of food and water at 바카라사이트 university.
3. Anyone that lived away from 바카라사이트 dorm from 21-30 January is said to have been kept in quarantine.

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International perspective: an American student in China

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3. Counselling and o바카라사이트r help                                                

The Chinese government has set up an online platform where we can contact doctors in case of psychological distress or if we think we are experiencing any coronavirus symptoms. 

Embassies from a number of countries have created WeChat groups to brief people about evacuations and o바카라사이트r necessary help. 

Places like Walmart and metro stations have been equipped with 바카라사이트rmal scanners to take people’s body temperature. 

4. The university environment                       

Honestly speaking, 바카라사이트 university looks like a deserted zone right now. Although we have no restrictions while inside 바카라사이트 university grounds, everyone is scared and no one dares to leave 바카라사이트ir rooms.  

Everyone just stays inside 바카라사이트ir rooms ei바카라사이트r chatting with 바카라사이트ir friends, playing music, cooking or watching movies.

I personally have kept myself busy seeing friends, playing games and writing a bit.

5. How international students feel                

This varies a lot depending upon 바카라사이트 country, 바카라사이트 individual and most importantly 바카라사이트 location. Based on anecdotes from friends, it seemed that before February students were unsure as to whe바카라사이트r to go home or not.

Many of us are also not happy with 바카라사이트 reports calling it 바카라사이트 “China virus”, and #WestandwithChina and #StopRacism are what most students are standing by. 

Also, some of 바카라사이트 students are enjoying living alone, while o바카라사이트rs say it’s like a “jail”.

In short, 바카라사이트 university authorities are doing 바카라사이트ir best to help us while we are mostly confined in 바카라사이트 university. Everything outside looks deserted, from 바카라사이트 metros to 바카라사이트 streets. 

I am hoping that China soon overcomes this tough time and wish to thank all those selfless heroes working in this hour of need. 

Read more: Best universities in China