Should I leave the country?

[Laks0007]

Currently studying in an EU country who are placing very strict restrictions.

They have closed all universities, malls and cinemas for more than 2 weeks and are likely to close tbe border on Monday.

Obviously everything could be closed for longer and i had an email from the university strongly recommending we dont leave as we could be quarantined on return and this would affect studies.

I have no family here and very few friends, health system is much worse than the UK.

Should I leave ?

How is your health generally? I’m assuming you’re young.

What’s your gut feeling?

I’d leave. But maybe that’s selfish.

Are you on a year abroad?

Based on this:

I have no family here and very few friends, health system is much worse than the UK.

I would.

If the university is closed anyway, then your studying is being disrupted as it is.

I would feel I may as well come back before any potential travel restrictions are put in place or before I develop the illness and am at the mercy of a poor healthcare system.

If Laks is young and generally well there is little chance of needing healthcare.

I am young and healthy and i'm in my 4th year of a 4 year programme. (Not Erasmus)

My issue is that they are hinting that they may pick up classes again while the borders are closed, therefore i might not get back in to finish my studies. I think it kind of unreasonable since i am at an international school. The other thing is that i live alone, if i get sick who can even help anyway.

What’s your gut feeling?

@Fanthorpe well there was a frightening episode in the hospital this morning precipitated by absolute panic and there was violence. Obviously an isolated episode, but made me think i need to get out of here. But i don't want compromise my studies. I'm in two minds

Is it a subject you can study remotely? Can you Skype into classes from UK?

I would leave x

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz Nope. I'm in my practical year doing a clerkship.

UK unis with students abroad are offering ‘support’ to come back if they wish. I don’t know if that’s useful info to you. Have you spoken to your academic tutor?

If you’re worried about civil unrest then I would err in the side of leaving.

@Fanthorpe their advice is - don't leave, because nobody knows what will happen.

My university isn't affiliated with the UK, but i guess its worth asking. It's healthcare though so im guessing helping won't be their first priority!

I would stay put if you're otherwise healthy and feel you will be safe where you are. If you leave, there is a good chance you will need to repeat the year as you won't have completed the required number of hours for your clerkship.

My ds is currently on Erasamus, admittedly in a country with very few cases so far, and has been advised to stay put as if he leaves for a few days (he had planned to visit a friend), he may not get back in.

Good luck anyway, I think it’s very hard to decide. My DC is staying put but sounds like a very different situation to yours.

Hi @Laks0007 my DC and all the other year abroad students have now been recommended to return to U.K. mainly due to the possible difficulty of getting a flight home in the coming months.

@fanthorpe thanks for the update. I bit the bullet and arranged a flight for tomorrow.

Funnily enough, we are still being told to stay. Despite one group of foreign students being evicted from their dorm ( they want to use it as a quarantine for the UK), but they were still told to stay? Ludicrous! Homeless in a foreign land, but yea we recommend you stay!

Sorry, i meant they are using the dorm to quarantine the public! *

Will you be able to continue online?
Because universities and schools are closing all over Europe and beyond as material buildings, but lessons are still continuing and students are being evaluated, presences noted etc. I'd find out where you stand first.

Online obviously, but very officially.

Good luck @Laks0007, I really hope you can get your education back on track as soon as possible.

Honestly from what you've said, no I would not.

And that's coming from someone who DID emigrate 4 years ago. From the UK to Australia. And not without some serious thought either...I was torn too.

I made the decision because here in Australia, I knew we'd have a much better opportunity to succeed professionally...both of us.

There was DH's family here....leaving mine was hard...but we'd tried and tried to succeed in the UK and failed at every turn.

In Australia we did better....me in particular. I had more professional success here in two years than I'd had in 5 in England.

Sorry wrong thread!