Chinese International Students Studying Experiences During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the UK

As the number of Chinese international students studying abroad continues to rise, they often encounter difficulties in adjusting to college life in a foreign country. These challenges can include difficulties in adapting to new environments, cultural differences, feelings of isolation due to being away from their parents, and academic pressures. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, negative media coverage and social stigmatization of Asians, such as the use of terms like “Chinese virus,” have led to increased discrimination against Asians, particularly Chinese international students, which has had a significant impact on their mental health. To explore these issues further, the authors conducted semi-structured interviews with five Chinese international students studying in the UK, examining the challenges and concerns they faced before and after the pandemic and how they coped with them.