Editor's note: Wang Yan is a senior specialist and the director of the Department for International Exchange, National Institute of Education Sciences. The article reflects the author's views and not necessarily those of CGTN.

When the COVID-19 surfaced in China, approximately 662,000 Chinese students were abroad pursuing education. Across the oceans, away from home, they soon extended help and support, joining the fight against the virus. Not only did they make contributions through various ways, but their love has been a bridge of friendship and support between the Chinese people and their counterparts in other countries. 

Immediately after the onset of the emergency, overseas Chinese students responded by offering donations, each in their own capacity. On January 25, a young man from the University of Rochester donated 367.3 U.S. dollars, the biggest salary he has ever earned from a part-time job, to Wuhan's Red Cross Society under the name of "Jr" to remain anonymous.

To help address the shortage of protective gear and medical equipment, students shopped around in cities and towns to try to plug the gap. Lin Yiwen in Kyoto and her friends organized volunteers in several cities to buy masks and send them to those in need in China.

Those who graduated from Wuhan were among the first groups to have extended support. Overseas alumni of Wuhan-based colleges and universities reacted almost simultaneously. Among other things, 4,000 surgical masks, 100 protective head covers were delivered to hospitals in Wuhan within 48 hours by students in Waseda University in Japan. There are just too many examples to list here.

Overseas Chinese students were soon joined by locals in many countries in support for China. In Denmark, Chinese students and scholar associations initiated donations on January 24 and raised 200,000 yuan within three days. This amount was used to procure 24,000 surgical masks and gloves as well as protective suits and goggles.

The Canadian Red Cross Society worked with Chinese students to set up a special account for donations. With the money they received, two batches of masks and medical equipment were purchased and sent to hospitals in Hubei, followed by life support machines and protective masks donated by Canadian alumni of Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business.

Students also expressed their best wishes for COVID-19 patients through art and music. For example, a rap song called "Coronavirus" was composed by Wang Lipei from the University of Edinburgh, which intended to boost people's morale during the fight against the virus. A music video titled "Solicitousness from 11 thousand miles away" was produced by students at York University to express their concern and care.

Despite time differences, many students abroad stayed up day and night to follow up the situation in Wuhan and China. They sent their love and strength through internet, like the lyrics in the song "Waiting for the wonder" composed by Huang Yu in Sydney noted: "Sun rises after the twilight, darkness fades away in the light, love of families will always support you… no fear, don't give up, take your courage and wait for the wonder."

Students from other nationalities also expressed their affection for China. Many local students and artists composed songs and created art pieces to convey their best wishes for Wuhan and China, such as Katyusha with new lyrics composed by Russian students hoping the Chinese stay strong and expressing confidence that China will win the battle eventually.

To reduce the potential risks of viral transmission, medical professionals and students from China shared knowledge and information and provided technical guidance to those abroad and at home through various social media platforms. In particular, students were instructed to quarantine themselves for two weeks after returning from China at very early stage of the outbreak.

Students in South Korea and other countries also helped disseminate knowledge on the virus and protective measures by letters, WeChat and videos, so that people could learn how to protect themselves and ease panic.

Studying abroad is an opportunity to access high-quality education, expand knowledge of other societies and improve employability in an increasingly globalized market. Moreover, when away from home, students' love for their homeland grows even stronger.

The youth is our future hope. With what they learned in China and abroad, they'll change the world in the future. In the case of COVID-19 outbreak, they learned new approaches to express love and to help others, to enable more people to join the forces against the outbreak currently threatening the entire human population.

One's love to the motherland is associated with courage, perseverance and integrity. True love turns stronger in times of ordeal. The young people are not only helping to conquer the challenge but also growing stronger to embrace a shared future and a better future for all.

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