Coronavirus Forces Foreign Students in China to Choose: Stay or Go

Ms. Song, 19, who speaks Mandarin and practiced during summer holidays in China visiting relatives, chose to study in China because she believes that, as an American born Chinese, she can help to dispel misconceptions on both sides.

“China is the world’s biggest developing country,” she said, “and I believe its relationship with the U.S. is going to be one of the most important for this century.”

With much of the city closed, Ms. Song is spending a lot of her time indoors. Inspired by her uncle, she has taken up calligraphy. She is also learning the differences in parenting styles between her uncle and her parents back in New York.

“My uncle cares a lot about the studies,” she said, adding, “He’s way more intense than my parents.”

Others who chose to stay are discovering how much they miss human interaction. Esma Dallakyan, a masters student from Armenia studying at Beijing’s Tsinghua University, spends most of her time studying in her dorm room. Campus life is increasingly isolating.

“All the streets are empty and you can’t find anyone to talk to,” she said, “It’s a little bit lonely.”

As a student of public health and a former Armenian health official, she has been getting a different kind education. “Now, as I see the efforts of the government in real time, I feel like it’s an internship,” said Ms. Dallakyan, 26.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/12/world/asia/china-coronavirus-students.html?emc=rss&partner=rss