Challenges Encountered by Overseas Chinese Students during Online Learning amid COVID-19

The global response to the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a rapid shift to online education in higher education institutions worldwide, catching both educators and students off guard. This shift was particularly impactful for Chinese postgraduate students, who make up a considerable proportion of international students in the United Kingdom (UK). Anticipating an immersive academic experience abroad, these students found themselves forced into online learning environments. Against this background, this study explored the online learning experiences of Chinese postgraduate students in the UK, using multimodal artefact creation and semi-structured interview for data collection. The findings indicated students' declining interest in online learning and their difficulties in establishing teacher-student relationships, due to their unfamiliarity with Western communication preferences and the limited social presence in virtual learning environments. This research sheds light on the intricacies and barriers of online learning.