Indians studying MBBS in China desperate to return to college, lack access to hands-on learning

With most Chinese applications banned in India, many students have been forced to install virtual private networks (VPN) to access their classes. While online classes have been continuing, the students lack access to hands-on practical classes.

Thousands of Indians studying medicine in China came home early last year for their winter break and have remained stranded since; unable to return as Covid tightened its grip and now getting more anxious as the months roll by with no clarity on when Beijing will lift travel restrictions.

While online classes have been continuing, the lack of access to hands-on practical classes puts a big question mark on their education and future as medical doctors, said several students. “I have attended classes online, but we are completely missing out on practicals. I have completed two years of my course but I still haven’t done an anatomy dissection,” said Delhi-based Richa Singh*, a second-year MBBS student at Xi’an Jiaotong University.