Loneliness Among Chinese International Students Studying in The UK During Pandemic
Overview
This qualitative research study examines the psychosocial experiences of Chinese international students at UCL during the Covid-19 pandemic, with particular focus on loneliness and isolation. Through a semi-structured interview with a Master's student, the study explores how mandatory physical distancing and remote learning disproportionately impacted vulnerable international students and identifies the need for institutional support mechanisms.
What this research paper covers
- Abstract: Overview of research on psychosocial experiences of Chinese students during pandemic
- Introduction: Context of Chinese student enrollment in UK, pandemic impact on learning, and literature on isolation effects
- Ethics: Discussion of ethical principles and researcher approval processes
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Loneliness Among Chinese International Students Studying in The UK During Pandemic
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Abstract
Rapidly increasing incomes in China have seen many parents sending their children to study in the UK. However, while numerous studies have investigated the social challenges experienced by Chinese students adjusting to the British education culture, less focus has been given to the psychological difficulties this group experienced during the Covid-19 pandemic. The researcher (code 41157) sought to qualitatively analyze the psychosocial experience of a Chinese international student learning at UCL (code 25033) during the pandemic. The convenient sampling method was used to select a Chinese Master's student at UCL. A zoom interview was conducted where the in-depth semi-structured interview approach was employed. The study determined that loneliness was a shared experience among Chinese international students studying in the UK during the Covid-19 pandemic. Moreover, support mechanisms in UK learning institutions during self-isolation periods are necessary to mitigate feelings of isolation among Chinese students.
Loneliness Among Chinese International Students Studying in The UK During Pandemic
Introduction
According to the Higher Education Statistics Authority, the number of Chinese students learning in the UK has soared by 50 percent over the last five years to around 144,000 students (Chu, 2022). Most UK universities transitioned overnight from traditional classroom learning to online learning. This drastic departure saw many Chinese students struggling to adjust to the new online learning format (Deng, 2021).