- Students, who chose Hong Kong because of its location, global exposure and cutting-edge courses, say they don’t want to be caught in crossfire
- Security enhanced on campuses, though there has not yet been any official inquiry on political situation or dropout due to violent protests
Matthew Seaward, a 19-year-old Briton studying in Hong Kong, is currently enjoying his summer break back in his hometown, and holidaying around several countries.
He is supposed to return to Hong Kong by late August for his second year in marketing and human resources at Baptist University. But he has been in two minds ever since the political crisis, stemming from the now-abandoned extradition bill, started in the city. He does not know whether he will be able to continue with his studies or will have to return home if the situation deteriorates.
"I am really worried about the escalating tensions. I am politically neutral. But I just don't want to get caught in a crossfire," he says.
"My family and friends are concerned about my returning to the city, and I would not like them to be worrying about me like this."
He is among a number of international students being gripped by fear from afar during the three months of summer holidays, as they get to know from news and social media how the peaceful rallies have gradually turned into bloody showdowns with protesters, riot police and armed mobs.
Cases of innocent bystanders being subjected to violence have worried them all the more.
Malaysian undergraduate Ting Jiatyin was not at Yuen Long MTR station when more than 100 white-clad men indiscriminately attacked travellers on July 21, but the incident has left her panic-stricken.
Rod-wielding mob dressed in white storms Hong Kong's Yuen Long MTR station
Hong Kong's anti-corruption watchdog, the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), has initiated an investigation into allegations police failed to protect the public from the mob violence. Some attackers were suspected triad gangsters.
"I was shocked to hear about the happenings in Hong Kong. I have been living here for the past three years, and I felt very safe even at 3am," said Ting, who just completed a summer internship in the US.
"I shall buy more groceries at one go so that I can cook more often and I do not have to go out much to buy food. I shall also avoid wearing white or black," he says.
Figures from the University Grants Committee show Hong Kong had 100,206 international students in the 2017/18 academic year. In 2016/17, there were 99,901.
Among the things that attract them to Hong Kong for studies are the city's location in the heart of Asia and the platform to extensive global connections that it has to offer. Many internationally recognised degree programmes are also offered in English.
Many Asian parents also consider Hong Kong a perfect destination for studies as the international hub offers students global views, while it is still cheaper than going to the West. The recent protests have shaken them up.
Tjoe Lili, a 42-year-old Indonesian housewife, says she never thought she would have to worry about her daughter, an international student at Baptist University.
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"For most Indonesian mums, Hong Kong is an ideal place because it is so close. You don't need a visa to travel from Indonesia and it is also not too expensive compared with studying in the US," Lili says.
"Why is the protest lasting for such a long time? The government doesn't seem to be doing anything about it. I always worry about my child when she's travelling between her place and school."
But Chinese University, the University of Hong Kong and Hong Kong University of Science and Technology say they have not yet received any official inquiries from international students on the political situation. Nor are there any cases of new or current international students withdrawing from any programme.
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Some students also say the protest movement has not affected them.
Ryuta Hagiwara, a 27-year-old doctoral student from Japan researching the Basic Law at Chinese University, has attended several anti-government demonstrations.
"I attended the protests in June and the first week of July. I never felt any risk," says Hagiwara, a former student of Hitotsubashi University in Japan who plans to work in Hong Kong after his research.
Instead of feeling threatened, he says he was happy to see cooperation and unity among the protesters.
Victoria Michelle Gunawan, from Indonesia, is due to start her first year at Savannah College of Art and Design Hong Kong. The 18-year-old does not think the protests will force her to withdraw from her film and television programme.
"I don't feel threatened in anyway. I believe my campus is pretty safe," she says.
"If things really get worse, I'm sure our school will contact us and make alternative arrangements."
Local universities are also stepping up measures to ensure student safety. A Baptist University spokesman says it has deployed more security personnel on the campus and in residence halls.
"Despite the turmoil that includes large peaceful demonstrations, flash protests and confrontations between police and protesters, universities remain safe with no reports of any violent campus incidents," Baptist University vice-president Albert Chau recently wrote in an email to students.
He advised students to always be up to date with news, avoid places outside the campus where crowds gather, and not to stay out late in the evening.
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