Students in Wuhan cope with lockdown at universities

Gulmira Sattar, a second-year undergraduate at Wuhan University, had planned to go to her hometown in Turpan, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, on the afternoon of Jan 23. Her trip was canceled as the city was put under lockdown at 10 am that day.

She has spent the last three months at the university since it was also put under lockdown.

The university started winter vacation on Jan 12, but she stayed there to prepare for English and computer credential exams.

"We were not allowed to leave our dormitory, and suddenly I realized I was the only student left in the building. The only other person was the dormitory supervisor," she said.

"During the early days, I would burst into tears and cry for a long time, but I did not tell my parents during our daily video chats as it would only make them more anxious," said Gulmira, 22.

She instantly bonded with the supervisor, whom she called aunt Duan.

"She and I became good friends. She knew I was very worried and would talk with me frequently," she said.

"Teachers and classmates were also there for me whenever I needed them."

The university has been very helpful by delivering three free halal meals, fruit and milk outside the dorm door every day.

In addition to helping Gulmira, the university has also aided 57 undergraduate students who remained at the university during the outbreak. For example, it has provided students with free protective equipment and medicine, she said.

Further, teachers have kept daily contact with the students to check up on their health status, deal with any difficulties they might have and offer psychological counseling, the university said.

Elsewhere, Wang Haitong, a second-year undergraduate student at Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan, said all remaining students have been moved to the same dorm, and each live in a separate room.

"The dorm supervisor would disinfect the building twice every day, and the school has also provided us with enough protective equipment, so I am not too worried about the epidemic," said Wang, 20.

It is boring staying in the dorm for so long, he said, but he has found ways to keep himself busy, such as reading books, preparing for the new semester and exercising regularly.

"I really hope that my classmates can return to the school and everything can get back to normal soon," he said. "After the outbreak ends, I want to play basketball and get my driver's license."