I am Bashar Ebrahem. I am from Syria. I came to Wuhan Sports University to get my Ph.D degree in Sports Training in September 2014. 

Every year on Valentine’s Day, I prepare a flower and a small gift for my girlfriend. But this year, love has taken another meaning in my heart. I found myself falling in love with Chinese society, the Chinese teachers and my Chinese friends. Not just because of the respect based on our relationship, but also because I’ve realized that the Chinese people have amazing humanity: they are not only friendly and helpful in normal times, but also willing to offer a sincere helping hand even during their own hard times.

From the very first day of the coronavirus epidemic outbreak, we thought our Chinese teachers and friends should be busy taking care of themselves, their families, children and relatives and not pay any attention us. To my astonishment, I started receiving loads of messages from my Chinese friends and teachers asking about my health and safety from the first minute.

Our teachers paid extra attention to us from the very beginning of this difficult time. They directed us to stay in our dormitories instead of going outside. The school started offering us all kind of supplies such as food, fruit, masks, liquid soap and other daily living necessities. They also helped us do medical checkups every day. They set up WeChat group for all foreigners staying in school, and the administrators sent us detailed information about the coronavirus, including how to protect ourselves. They cared about us as if we were their own family members.

A few days later, some volunteers from the university took the responsibility of bringing vegetables and necessities. Every morning, they called some of us to go to the school supermarket to take whatever we needed. And before we went there, they never forgot to remind us about the safety procedures.

Of course it was not their obligation to do that, but they did it voluntarily and responsibly. It was amazing and unbelievable. I totally forgot that I was a foreigner in Wuhan. I just felt I had become a member of a big family in the university and we shared everything together.

Furthermore, our teachers never forgot about our mental and physical conditions. Every day, the anti-virus related news was shared and explained in our group chat without any delay. It was the first time in my life I had seen a hospital built in 10 days! During these days, our teachers shared very useful instructions about how to release stress; they encouraged and guided us to do indoor workouts every day. In addition, they sent us some useful links about online study and free online courses. During these days, I have never felt lonely or afraid.

When my first love Syria (Syrian Embassy) called me from Syria to evacuate me from Wuhan, I decided to stay because of my deep love here, with my Chinese Teachers, with my Chinese friends, with the people of Wuhan, as Wuhan is now my second home. It’s my responsibility to stay with them to go through this hard time. I’m ready to do any volunteer work for the city.

I believe the epidemic will be brought under control very soon. The Chinese people’s greatest attribute is their sense of humanity, which will leave a deep impact on my mind forever.

Be strong, China! Be strong, Wuhan!

Bashar Ebrahem is a Ph.D student in sports training, Wuhan Sports University, Wuhan, Hubei, China