Pandemic creates extra challenges for international exchange

Monday, April 26, 2021 — Within the academic world, international exchange students and researchers have been particularly affected by the pandemic. In an opinion article in the journal Ethnobiology and Conservation, Farid Dahdouh-Guebas of the Biology Department of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel and Ina Vandebroek of the New York Botanical Garden defend this group and propose some solutions. Dahdouh-Guebas: "Moving to another country, learning a new language and living in another culture involves a lot of effort. The global health crisis makes it even more difficult and creates even more emotional, social, financial and legal challenges than usual.' Targeted as virus spreaders The researchers point out that there have been reported cases of verbal attacks around the world in which international students and researchers have been branded as carriers and spreaders of the virus. In extreme cases, people have even been physically threatened and attacked. "This is rather bitter when you consider that it is usually international scientists who adapt most quickly to a new environment and are most open to new cultural traditions and values,' says Dahdouh-Guebas. There is concern, the authors say, that the increased risk of racial stereotyping, intimidation and harassment caused by the health crisis will have negative effects on participation in international exchange programmes.