Dialogue@ZJU: With overseas ZJU students (Part 1)

[Message from the Editor: In China, life is returning to normal after taming the coronavirus. However, many parts of world are still in lockdown. Currently more than 700 ZJU students are studying in overseas institutions. How are they dealing with this crisis over there? Global Communications contacted six of them and asked about their recent life.]

BAI Shuhan, ’2022 undergraduate

Major:English

Overseas university：University of Notre Dame (US)

Starting time:Jan, 2020

“After the Spring break, the University has requested all students not to return to campus, and move out of the dorms quickly to reduce community spread of COVID-19. On-campus hotel is provided for international students who could not return home in time. I decided to live outside of campus using the refunds from the University.

Since the outbreak, all courses were conducted through Zoom. However many students were unable to take classes on time due to the time difference. Many science related courses are recorded in advance. As liberal arts courses usually involve more group discussions, they have to be live streamed.

Costco, Target, Kroger and local Chinese supermarkets in my region are all open for business  with strict social distancing guides implemented.  

Student organizations of the University and Chinese embassy have given us a lot of help. Since March, I have received two supporting packages from them, including facial masks and TCM granules. I really appreciate it.”

ZHENG Yixian, PhD Candidate

Major:Marine resources and Environment

Overseas university:the University of British Columbia (Canada)

Starting time:Aug, 2019

“In mid-March, UBC began to perform online teaching, close the laboratories, and restricted the number of on-campus staff. During this period of time, apart from the need to go out to buy food, I basically stayed in our room. The number of COVID-19 cases increase in an astonishing speed. At 7 o'clock every night, my neighbors cheer for the medical staff fighting the pandemic. They play the trumpet, knock on the bowl, stomp on the drums and whistle. There was no one on the street, but every household holds this ceremony at the same time to pay tribute to every frontline staff member.

Everyone's daily routine is changed by the COVID-19. For me, online lessons, writing essays, cooking, limited exercise, and a very limited occasions of going out are my new normal.”

WANG Shan, PhD Candidate

Major:Materials Science

Overseas university: National University of Singapore (Singapore)

Starting time:Aug, 2019

“With ever-increasing number of confirmed cases globally and more reported cases on the NUS campus, we all felt a little bit panic. Everyone closely monitors the progress of this outbreak through different channels. Self-protection tips and psychological counseling were updated to us from Chinese embassy, study abroad Wechat groups, and my teachers in Zhejiang University these days, which is very reassuring.

Furthermore, I was so touched by the people from the embassy that they distributed facial masks to us during the heavy rain and they even skipped their lunch to make sure we all got the masks in time. Through this unforgettable experience, I feel the strong support from the motherland. Gradually the anxiety went away and I am doing my best to cope with the crisis.”