M’sian students abroad coping with situation

PETALING JAYA: Despite being away from loved ones, Malaysian students pursuing studies overseas are being cared for by their respective institutions and have been able to cope with the Covid-19 pandemic.

Coryn See, 22, an international business student at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in Brisbane said she has not encountered problems since Australia implemented a “soft” lockdown at the end of March.

“QUT provides free food to international students and counselling services to help us on various issues such as online study tips, mental health and financial management, among others, ” she said.

She said students can use the WiFi to access the library resources and physical counselling as all university facilities are functioning as usual.

“Everyone, including foreigners, is calm and going about their normal daily life, studying or working, from home.”

However, Coryn, who has no plans to return to Malaysia immediately, is worried about getting a job when she completes her studies in July as many companies here have frozen new recruitments.

Like Coryn, Grace Lim, 21, a civil engineering student at Southern Illinois University in the US, said her varsity too was supportive and helpful to students.

“Free meals are given to students living in the dorms. The university has also provided food pantry services to allow those living off-campus to have access to free groceries.”

Grace, a barista at the university’s cafe, said student workers were also paid despite being unable to work.

She said she will take summer classes online if she doesn’t returnto Malaysia.

Nor Aida Amir Hashim, 20, a mechanical engineering student at Wichita State University, Kansas, in the US, said she is holding up well despite a “stay-at-home order”.

“I am not returning to Malaysia as I don’t want to risk catching Covid-19 while travelling back home now, ” she said.

Lee Yi Zhen, 21, a student at Memorial University of Newfoundland, St John’s, Canada, said they are encouraged to stay home, while schools and most of the businesses here are closed.