"One Outing in a Week... Grocery Shopping" A Day in the Life of a Self-Quarantined Chinese International Student

Recommended Self-Quarantine at School... "Considering the Situation, It's Only Natural"
"Let Me Know If You Need Help"... Great Support from Lab Colleagues

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] Li Wei (31, pseudonym), a Chinese international student pursuing a master's degree at Inha University in Incheon, is currently self-quarantining in his rented room. He visited his hometown, Xinyang City in Henan Province, for about ten days to celebrate the Chinese 'Chunjeol' (Lunar New Year) and returned to Korea on the 3rd. During that time, the novel coronavirus (Wuhan pneumonia) outbreak occurred, and just before entering the country, he received an email from the university asking him to self-quarantine upon arrival in Korea.

Xinyang City is located about 220 km north of Wuhan City, Hubei Province. Henan Province has significantly fewer confirmed cases than Hubei Province (29,631 cases) but ranks fourth with 1,073 confirmed cases (as of the 11th), following Guangdong Province (1,159 cases) and Zhejiang Province (1,092 cases). Li said, "I have not had contact with any confirmed cases in my hometown," but added, "Given the situation, I consider it natural and am complying with the self-quarantine measures."

It has already been ten days since he started living 'locked up in his room.' He refrains from going out entirely and spends the whole day handling research lab work and other tasks inside his room. Meals are delivered. The only time he saw the outside world was once when he went to a nearby mart to buy groceries during the past ten days. After dinner, he does simple bodyweight exercises. Although Li usually visits a nearby gym daily and is enthusiastic about exercising, he is refraining during the self-quarantine period. This is the only time during the day when he feels somewhat relieved from the confinement. After finishing his workout, he returns to his research lab work and goes to bed around 11 p.m.

Li said, "It is a bit frustrating not being able to go outside, but I try to avoid going out as much as possible," and added, "I am grateful that my research lab colleagues and nearby Koreans have told me to let them know if I need help." He also does not forget to keep up with news related to the novel coronavirus and updates from his home country. He said, "I worry a lot about my family in my hometown as I watch the increasing numbers of confirmed cases and deaths every day," and expressed, "I hope the situation calms down soon."

Inha University has about 800 Chinese international students. It is estimated that around 50 students, like Li, have recently traveled to China. The university has advised all of them to self-quarantine. Students who lived in dormitories instead of rented rooms, like Li, were housed in isolated buildings after returning to Korea. According to the university, a significant number of Chinese international students have not yet responded regarding their plans to return to school. Li said, "I understand that friends who stayed in China during the vacation are also considering whether to return to school," and added, "Not only friends from Hubei Province but also students from other regions are closely watching the atmosphere in Korea and appear worried."

Inha University postponed the start of the semester by two weeks due to concerns about the novel coronavirus. As a result, the return of international students staying in China is also delayed. As the semester approaches, the number of students required to self-quarantine after entering the country is expected to increase significantly. Additionally, many students from Hubei Province and others who face difficulties entering Korea are likely to decide to take a leave of absence, which the university is closely monitoring.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.