Foreign students in the UK are fleeing the country because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many are disappointed by the British government’s response to the coronavirus crisis, and are choosing to return home.
According to a worker at a student accommodation in Islington, more than 30 per cent of the residents have left the UK since the beginning of the month.
Kinnary Raut, an Indian student living in Islington told Islington Now: “After hearing Boris Johnson’s announcement of the delay phase, I felt that the government’s response was inadequate and that the situation was going to get worse very soon. Travelling during a pandemic isn’t the smartest thing to do, but I took my chances as I felt I would be safer in my home country rather than in the UK.”
Sarah, a German student at City, University of London, agrees: “The British government isn’t doing anything to address the problem. The situation was similar in Germany until recently, but they eventually decided to go into lockdown.”
The Prime Minister has advised the public to work from home when possible and to avoid mass gatherings, and while government sources have been rumoured to set a London lockdown, nothing has been officially announced so far.
Flight tickets to China have skyrocketed up to £21,000 for a seat on a chartered plane
City and London Metropolitan, the two universities located within the borough, decided to move their teachings and assessments online. It means foreign students can now go back home without putting their studies in jeopardy.
“Since Cass Business School has decided to stop face-to-face lectures and cancelled the exams, going back home won’t influence our study, but I will come back to complete my degree if needed,” says Xuan Chen, a Chinese student.
Going back home is not a possibility for everyone, though, as several countries have already shut their borders. Therefore, some foreign students will have to stay in Islington for the time being.
One City University student from Switzerland who preferred to remain anonymous told Islington Now:“My home country is worse off than the UK and they will probably close the borders soon.”
Many of the students leaving the UK will be quarantined for 14 days as soon as they arrive home, such as is the case for Chinese students.
As overseas Chinese are flocking home, the price of flight tickets to China have skyrocketed up to £21,000 for a seat on a chartered plane.
This is a problem that Meng, a student from City University, faced. She wanted to fly back to China but could not afford to buy a ticket at such a price.
