The Corona virus (COVID-19) outbreak in China, starting in the epicenter city of Wuhan (first reported on Dec 31, 2019), threw the lives of the locals and the foreigners alike into confusion. However, the quick response by the Chinese government, worthy of praise, has led to the containment of the virus almost entirely. The people are gradually getting back to their normal lives although most of the Chinese educational institutions and companies have resumed work via online platforms. The pace with which China assigned health personnel and professional equipment countrywide to combat the epidemic is almost unmatchable. Supermarkets, estate entrances, metro stations etc. have been armed with thermal scanners to measure the body temperatures of those entering the building or area. The government imposed travel bans, domestic and international, with the containment of the virus in mind. Wuhan (in Hubei province) and few other cities went under lockdown to curb the spread of the disease. Though these measures created difficulties for many foreigners in China and for those who were planning to travel to China, they served the purpose. As for those in China with expiring visas, the government declared a two-month automatic visa extension. Chinese mobile applications such as WeChat, Alipay etc. (foreigner-friendly apps) showed real-time statistics of the epidemic in China as well as the world as a whole and served as platforms to contact healthcare staff in case of physical or emotional uneasiness. As of March 13th, of the total 81,003 confirmed COVID-19 cases in China, 64,219 have already been cured. The number of deaths per day have fallen drastically too (3181 deaths in total). Most of the provinces outside of Hubei reported minimal (less than 3) cases or no new cases at all (dated March 13th, 2020).
International students in China have shown prudence in facing the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and have displayed immense support, in words as well as in deeds, for the country and the people that host them. Majority of the overseas students chose to stay in China amid the tough times and go hand in hand with the Chinese people in combating the spread of the infection. Many of them even volunteered to work on the frontline of fighting the virus. These students have set quite an amazing example for those foreigners who are going to set foot in China in the future for studies or for work. The ‘liuxuesheng’ (留学生- foreign students) in China have over time shown the growing tendency of getting attached to the country and feeling like they are a part of the country too. They currently remain optimistic and are sure that China will overcome the difficulties soon, owing to the effective measures taken by the Chinese government, the public and their own universities in preventing and managing the epidemic.
Since the outbreak, the universities in China have vigorously committed themselves to prevention and control activities. All the Universities in China published notices giving strict orders to the students for indoor and outdoor protective measures; students were required to stay inside their rooms and avoid any public gatherings. School canteens remained open during the period. The schools equipped the international students with masks, disinfectant tools and all the necessary information on the virus- its symptoms and spreading mechanisms- to protect their students from getting infected. Those living off-campus or are currently outside mainland China are given strict instructions to not return to school for registering for the spring semester or for any other activities until further notice. Official term (spring semester) beginning dates are yet to be confirmed. Nevertheless, all the universities and schools have moved their activities and semester courses to online platforms so as to keep all their students safe and yet not miss out on their schooling. All the universities require their international students on campus to submit daily records via the health status report system. Notices regarding the preventive measures, updates on the epidemic and the report systems are conveyed to the students via WeChat groups or emails. Disinfecting the school premises and dormitories, measuring and recording body temperatures and reporting the same back to the duty teachers have become routines for all the foreign students. The majority cooked their own meals in the dormitories and went on with their studies as usual; the only difference in their lifestyle being the reduced public interactions and outings.
Education in China: Scenario for the future applicants (especially, for the fall semester of 2020):
• This year might see a fall in the enrollment of foreign students in Chinese universities since many students will remain skeptical about traveling to China for their studies
• The application deadlines and the university requirements may become flexible due to the epidemic. However, applicants are still advised to submit the applications as early as they can
• The physical examination, health checkup requirements may become very strict
• Traveling to China and movement within the mainland may require more procedures or face certain regulations until the virus issue is entirely settled
• Students coming to China may face stricter rules and regulations or policies imposed by the universities they are enrolled into. This is for their own good.