International Students Cope with
Virtual Learning During the COVID-19 Pandemic
BU International students talk about problems they encounter in online classes
and hope for a fairer learning mode
This Spring, Boston University continues classes with the Learning from Anywhere (LfA) format. However, international students said that remote learning affects their academic performance and plans mainly due to their location in very distant and different time zones.
Students who reported online learning challenges are mostly learning remotely in Asia such as Singapore and China. As Central Asia is thirteen hours ahead of United States, most students attend classes during the 12 AM-6 AM time window.
Many students reported the mode of LfA does not account for time difference, and time difference becomes a challenge of remote learning.
Christine Yoh, an international student from Singapore, said that the mode of LfA is unfair to international students.
“I personally think that LfA is a good initiative for remote students to continue their education. However, I don’t think it’s entirely fair as it could be misleading,” Yoh said.
While remote students have to adjust to the time zone, they are also coping with academic stress and health issues, they reported. A survey conducted by Vanderbilt University (2020) found that students who are living in a different time zone make changes to their sleep schedule, which leads to negative results such as fatigue, lower performance, and participation.
Katie Chan, a sophomore in the College of General Studies, who is learning remotely in Hong Kong, stated that the time difference has impacted her grades and health.
“I had to take my exam at 3 am to have everyone else take it at the same time. This affects my grade as my condition when taking the exam during the daytime must be better than at midnight,” Chan said. “I started having headaches due to sudden change in sleeping schedules, but also mentally because there is no motivation at all when taking classes late at night alone.”
Some students reported trouble concentrating in online classes because of attending classes at a different time.
“It is harder for me to pay attention to classes online. I am tired and want to sleep,” according to Hanqi Song, a sophomore in the College of Communication.
Some international students reported that they have thought of or planned to take a semester off during the time of COVID-19. Aaron Liauw, a sophomore in the College of Communication, reported that he knows remote learning has resulted in some students’ decision to gap a year or a semester.
“I feel bad for seniors because everything is virtual for their last year in college,” Liauw said. “I also feel bad for freshmen because they have trouble making friends in class. So I understand why people want to gap.”
Some students reported that they have thoughts about taking a gap year or a semester off because of online learning challenges, and would like to spend more time exploring their interests.
“I have definitely thought about taking a year or semester off. However, my parents disapproved,” Yoh said. “I wanted to take a few online courses or certificates to figure out what I wanted to do.”
Valerie Chan, who has done two semesters of remote learning in Hong Kong, decided to gap the Spring 2021 semester because of online learning challenges.
“I really need a break because I didn’t get enough sleep in the past two semesters,” Chan said. “Dealing with time differences has affected not only my physical health but my mental health. Also, as a transfer student, I want to experience more social life on campus, so gapping a semester allows me to have more time to experience social life, and do internships to figure out what I want to do.”
However, some students reported online learning has both positive and negative impacts on their academic grades.
Katie Chan said that recorded lectures become helpful for her to achieve a higher grade.
“Not only can I rewatch lectures, but also since all materials and schedules are posted online, it is easier to follow the pace of classes,” Chan said.
Yoh said she prefers attending big lectures online.
“I find that the online format helps me to pay more attention to the professor and not be overwhelmed with everything else that is going on,” Yoh said.
Rachel Do, a sophomore in the College of General Studies, said that watching recordings makes her feels distanced.
“Watching recordings are difficult,” Do said. “It’s not like you’re seeing people.”
Some students reported negative effects on academic performance, that online learning hinder their academic progresses.
Yusi Jin, a junior learning remotely in China, said online learning affected her academic grades when she was forced to drop her course because she was in a different time zone.
“My professor asked me to drop the class because I was the only remote student in the course,” Jin said. “I was not able to connect with other students via Zoom, and the professor was unwilling to make changes.”
Nevertheless, most students are planning to complete their degrees on campus instead of fully online.
Yoh said she believes a high investment college education includes experiences such as networking and other life skills.
“It comes not only with the goal of getting a degree but the experience. I feel like completing a degree fully online would take away from the purpose of college in the first place,” Yoh said.
Jason Wu, a junior majoring in Mathematics and Statistics, said that it depends on the students’ majors.
“I think completing a degree fully online is possible for students who are majoring in math or math-related majors, but not for COM or Business students because these two majors need lots of in-person communications and interviews,” Wu said.
While the international students reported that time difference is a huge issue in online learning, they stated that Boston University can improve the format of online classes.
Yoh said the university can improve by providing asynchronous options for every class.
“I know of a friend who has to take synchronous classes for all her credits, and I definitely think it’s quite tough,” Yoh said.
Chan suggested modifying the exam schedule and assignments.
“All exams held during time zones that fall between 11 pm to 7 am for international students can be rescheduled,” Chan said. The amount of homework and exams can be readjusted to the pandemic situation as it is different in studying on-campus versus studying at home.”
Jin stated that professors should attend training sessions, and pay more attention to students online, especially in discussion sections.
Nevertheless, students said they are hoping to return to in-person education in the Fall 2021 semester.
“I believe the situation in the States will improve, and there will be a chance of going back to take in-person class,” Chan said.