Chinese Linfield students learning online from home

Five Linfield College students went home to China during the Christmas break and January Term. Unable to return for the spring semester because of concerns about coronavirus, they’re continuing their classes from home via the Internet.

Their professors are working to make this possible, college communications director Scott Nelson said.

Shaik Ismail, director of international programs, said some of their classes already were offered through Linfield’s online studies program. Professors are tailoring the classes that weren’t already online to the students’ needs, he said.

“Being a small college, we can be flexible,” Ismail said. “We’re giving them what they need to make progress toward their majors and minors.”

He said his office regularly keeps in touch via email with the Chinese students, and other international students when they are not on the McMinnville campus.

The college has about 100 international students at any one time. They come from 25 to 30 countries around the world, Ismail said.

The Chinese students plan to return to Linfield in the fall, assuming the coronavirus situation allows.

Coronavirus first was reported in China in late 2019 and early this year. Cases since have been reported on every continent except Antarctica, and nearly a dozen people have died in the U.S. in Washington and California.