Many Vietnamese students cannot return to China to continue their studies. Currently, this country still tightens epidemic prevention regulations, closed to most foreigners. China's strategy of keeping infections out while preventing domestic flare-ups has created some bittersweet experiences for foreign students.

The global situation and that in neighboring countries have their "ups and downs", Wu Liangyou, Deputy Director at the National Health Commission, called the Zero Covid 19 approach "complicated and severe" as temperatures fall in winter.

He shared "We will continue to adhere to strict epidemic prevention and control measures... forming a solid barrier to consolidate our hard-won results in the fight against the coronavirus."

Nearly half a million other international students have not been able to come to China since March 2020 when the country closed its borders to most foreigners because of the pandemic. In 2018, a total of 492,185 international students pursue higher education in China and about 63,041 students, or 13%, received government scholarships, Ministry of Education of China reported.

Recently, China said that students from 10 ASEAN countries will be given priority to return to this country, as early as 2022 February. Still, schools has not been able to give official information on possible measures to support international students.

Endless hours of online studying

Universities closing down for many years to come is entirely possible, making students very anxious. Photo: Nolisoli

Vu Kieu Chinh (24 years old) must take lectures from afar. With no sign that China will loosen its borders so she does not keep her hopes up. Universities closing down for many years to come is entirely possible, making students very anxious.

According to Chinh, at the end of August 2019, she was accepted to major in Business Management at Nanjing University of Technology. The first semester went smoothly, she plans to graduate and apply to stay in China to work.

However, by the end of 2019, Chinh and many international students have to return to their home countries to study online

“Learning online makes it harder for me to improve my studies. If we have any questions, we must directly contact the teachers at the International Institute to be resolved," Chinh said.

Chinh said that up to now, her university still has no plan to allow international students to return to study. Currently, Chinh's plans are in limbo.

Chinh unable to hide her concern about her future: “Grading online does not affect my grades or degrees, but it will make it difficult for me in the process of preparing my thesis. I know quite a few classmates who have had the same situation as me, not only in Vietnam but also in Korea, Mongolia and Egypt. We are all looking forward to returning to China and completing our studies on time,” Chinh confided.

Longing for real connection

International students longs for opportunities to socialize. Photo: China Daily

Hoang Thanh Chinh (22 years old) also has not been able to come to China to study due to the pandemic. He is major in International Education at Yunnan Normal University since September 2020. He has studied completely online through a computer screen, feeling quite tired due to the time difference.

“My class time usually takes place at lunch or lunch break, which affects my personal life. For me, online learning cannot be as effective as face-to-face learning, but if you listen to lectures and do exercises, you can still get high scores," Chinh shared.

With his scholarship, he can cover living expenses in Vietnam. He confessed he could lead a more comfortable life compared to living and studying in China, However, now that he is not in China, he was not able to get the full support and experience.

Chinh longs for opportunities to socialize. It was his dream to study abroad so he could meet many friends from all over the world. Now, he can only communicate through the screen.

Every cloud has a sliver lining

China said that students from 10 ASEAN countries will be given priority to return to this country, as early as 2022 February. Photo: Zing News

Chinh's school has begun to welcome Korean or Taiwanese students back to China. Chinh still waits for the day when his school announce Vietnamese students can return to China.

“I am looking forward to going to China to study and complete the program on schedule. I also plan to stay there to work in the future. I hope the epidemic situation is under control and the entry regulations will be easier for international students like us," Chinh said.

The Chinese government stated that they fully understand the urgency of international students to return to China to continue their studies but with the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, international students may be a long way from returning to the country.

China continues to apply the Zero Covid 19 approach. Photo: Zing News

"We are planning the necessary things to control the epidemic and step by step support the students," South China Morning Post reported from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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