The news describes a puzzling pneumonia and its ripple effect on young foreigners celebrating Christmas abroad before continuing their studies in China. It began as a distant echo for students who would not return home. Wuhan closed first, then Hubei, and eventually the entire country. Students from many countries faced an abrupt halt to their plans as the outbreak disrupted races, careers, and daily life, leaving everyone uncertain and powerless. Now, more than two years later, China opens its doors again to students.
For Kaopod, a Thai woman in her twenties studying International Relations at the renowned Fudan University in Shanghai, the story of the epidemic spread quickly. While relaxing in Bangkok after her first year, her sister warned of the epidemic. The center initially advised not to return, and in March China announced another closure. She had to fly out urgently, yet fear remained. She studied online from Thailand but withdrew in the third semester. Much stayed behind in China—friends, belongings, rent money, and a life on pause. She reflects on how the situation unsettled future plans and finances, leaving her unsure what to do next.
This week several Chinese embassies announced the re-issuance of student visas for residents. The measure follows a tightening of paperwork for other visas in June and a quarantine shift to seven days in a hotel plus three days at home. Airfares, already a major concern for students, remained high, and the country still imposes certain constraints on international majors. Yet the policy change offers relief compared with the months of restrictive barriers experienced earlier.
Start from scratch
Most Spanish students found themselves blocked, with only a small share able to return. A minority managed to continue their studies online. In fields such as translation or international relations, online work was sometimes possible, but many face-to-face classes are mandatory in technical disciplines. A notable number ended up leaving their PhDs and starting anew in other countries. This sentiment was echoed by Pedro Laborda, a professor at Nantong University and head of the China-Spain Research Network, who notes that many travelers felt compelled to pursue new paths abroad.
For a Catalan student, 24-year-old Pol, the hope to return to Shanghai to refine Mandarin persists, even as the path to normalization with the coronavirus remains uncertain. He watches developments from afar, seeking information on Chinese websites and staying in touch with friends and ambassadors, only to encounter frequent delays and ambiguous signals. The dream of returning to Shanghai to immerse in language study continues to clash with the evolving realities in China’s relation to the virus.
Chinese student attraction
Before the pandemic hit, China already hosted a large international cohort. In 2019, half a million foreigners studied in China, placing the country as a leading destination behind the United Kingdom and the United States and a prominent global education hub. Approximately 60 percent of international students come from Asia, including South Korea, Thailand, Pakistan, and India, with African enrollments rising. Official figures indicate that Beijing funds a substantial share of scholarships in Sub-Saharan Africa. Education is viewed as a pillar of soft power as China seeks to expand its influence worldwide. The United Kingdom and the United States have long shaped generations of scientists, thinkers, and leaders, and China’s approach aims to match or surpass this legacy.
Despite past challenges, many students stayed on in China during the initial waves of the pandemic. About two weeks of the pandemic’s impact left a lasting impression on the experience of hundreds of Spanish students, with the total number affected varying over time. China remains a destination that some students see as culturally distant, with a different language and notable practical hurdles. Yet scholarships remain generous as part of a broader strategy to attract foreign talent and foster stronger ties. The opening did not completely erase the sense of geographic and cultural distance, but it underscored China’s continued interest in welcoming international scholars and researchers.
Scholarship policy
China often covers tuition and offers numerous research positions with competitive salaries and travel opportunities to Spain. In Europe and the United States, the process can be more complex and restrictive. Many students receive scholarships and find opportunities to advance their studies, aided by a Chinese ecosystem that supports study and research with strong government backing. The country has a track record of substantial scientific output, with patent activity and publications in prestigious journals seen as indicators of progress.
Looking ahead, questions remain about how quickly China will regain momentum as other nations fill the gaps left by pandemic disruptions and geopolitical tensions. Yet many observers believe the recovery could be rapid. Chinese universities are eager to attract foreign students, and there is expectation that curricula will continue to improve with international input, broadening opportunities for study and collaboration in the years to come. Portrayed as a bridge between cultures, China’s higher education system is navigating a transition while reaffirming its role on the global stage.