Whether to return to the UK this autumn is the question which Chinese students, including myself, have felt hesitant about recently. Instead of barriers like political tensions or fee levels, my main anxiety is over whether it is safe to travel to the UK, which is also the first consideration of most Chinese parents since Covid-19 hit.
The journey from China to Sheffield is now full of uncertainties for me. The potential infection risk is always present when in airport or a long-flight aircraft as it’s impossible to tell who might be asymptomatic. The truth is that most international airplane travels are indirect, which would make the situation worse if I have to transfer in a country which is struggling with the pandemic. My fears have escalated since the research figures started to show the prevalence of the virus in England; it’s been rising for the first time since May, so I began to consider if the adventure is worth buying tickets (which have increased several times in price).
I’m glad that UK universities, including Sheffield University, have assembled together to plan chartering flights for Chinese students. I would be more persuaded to return back if this can be done, as I know most passengers on the plane would have had similar experiences to my own amid this coronavirus period. Somehow this would make me less worried about the infection risk and I would feel a sense of belonging which I won’t feel if sitting with random strangers from across the world.
The political tensions on HUAWEI, Hong Kong, and the racist attacks on Chinese international students are not ignorable and would have some impacts on my desire to return. However, I’d rather treat them more positively as what Tucker Elliot said - “There are more good people than bad people, and overall there’s more that’s good in the world than there is that’s bad. We just need to hear about it, we just need to see it.” These confrontations have been continuing for years, so none of them could be changed in a moment. I believe all of the affairs will be finally resolved in a justice and peaceful way. After all, as an international student, my primary wish is always to return to the UK to finish my three-year course successfully and normally.
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