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.]

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.”

SUN Tiantian, PhD Candidate

Major: Marine Resources and Environment

Overseas university：Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research (Germany)

Starting time: Dec, 2019

“Leibneiz institute has been scheduled to be closed from March 15th to April 19th, 2020. Since then, I have started to study from home. Group meeting in our geological team used the Zoom web conference video to exchange ideas and keep the progress of research projects.

My supervisor here is a very responsible to me. Due to the pandemic, all my experiments were postponed. He asked me to analyze the data from previous experiments and help with the preparation of an article. I am trying my best to keep up with scientific research as normal.”

ZHANG Lulu, PhD Candidate

Major: Marine Resources and Environment

Overseas university: Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (Spain)

Starting time: Sep, 2019

“Since the outbreak of epidemic，Spain has entered the ‘emergency state’. Most stores were closed except pharmacies and supermarkets that operate to meet people's basic living needs. UPC campus was closed as well and I started to study at home. Using Skype video, my supervisor connected with me regularly.

I also participated in a meaningful activity that forms spontaneously in my neighborhood. At 8:00 pm every night, people go out to their balcony and clap hard for the medical staff and the people infected by the virus.”