Students, far from home, face dilemmas every day. Coursework and how to stretch limited budgets, naturally, play a central role in daily concerns. But now a new quandary befalls students. Picture this: You are ensconced in a flat in London, having arrived in the city five months ago to pursue a master's degree. On this fine spring day, however, rather than enjoying an idyllic rest, your head is spinning, taunted by this question: "Should I go or should I stay?"

This is the conundrum that is facing 1.6 million Chinese students abroad as COVID-19 hits the world. Students have to decide whether to shelve their studies for the time being and head home or to hunker down and wait until the pandemic has finally run its course.

Cao Yuanyuan, a student from Shanghai studying at the University of the Arts London, is among those who face this difficult choice. Due to the outbreak, the university suspended classes and Cao's family insisted on her coming back.

The actual return journey presented obstacles unimaginable under usual circumstances, requiring the skills of an explorer or navigator. When searching for flights, Cao found that not a single direct flight was available, nor were there any interline tickets－those which allow for seamless, multi-airline travel with checked bags.

She therefore had to buy two separate flights on March 16 transferring in Singapore, on a journey that took her 26 hours. A nonstop flight takes around 11.