Manx students at UK universities have had a very different experience to what they would have expected before the global pandemic.

Students at a number of universities have been told to self-isolate following Covid outbreaks on campus.

The government has pledged to help bring students home should the UK situation deteriorate further and it goes into full lockdown.

We spoke to three Manx students to find out what university life has been like so far under Covid-19 restrictions.

Emma Draper, 19, is in her second year studying journalism at Portsmouth University.

She says it was strange to return to the UK after living freely without restrictions in the island.

Emma said: ’I knew it was going to be strange going back to social distancing, one way systems and wearing a mask pretty much everywhere.

’But the reality is that I feel like I’ve time-travelled back to March when these were still necessary precautions that we had to take on the island, and there were fines or prison sentences for not adhering to the new laws.

’And yet here in Portsmouth it’s almost like people aren’t bothered by the fact that there’s still a global pandemic raging.

’Maybe it’s just because I’ve come out of some weirdly protected bubble where we’ve been free to hug our friends or throw parties with more than six people since June, that I find people to be very nonchalant about the whole thing.

’It’s more noticeable at the clothes shop I work in and I find it hilarious but also slightly worrying that I have to change my opinion on the current situation for pretty much all the customers I serve.

’My current situation is that I’m sat in my pyjamas in my flat in Portsmouth, with the sun shining, knowing that going to work is risky and I could put my flatmates, who both have asthma, at risk.

’I’m also wondering whether I’m going to have to launch a search party for my university timetable because we still don’t have it the week before we’re meant to start.’

Caitlin Allinson, daughter of Education Minister Dr Alex Allinson, is going into her second year studying law at York University.

She says that due to the importance of face-to-face seminars for her degree, the law school was able to ensure some still took place with facemask and social distancing requirements.

Lectures which would typically include 200 people are now all online.

Asked how different the social life is compared to last year, she said: ’There’s absolutely been a shift, obviously with the six-person rule in place we can’t meet up as sports teams or society committees to have meetings and socials.

’It’s hard to meet with people, having to pick and choose so you adhere to the group maximums.

’Bars, restaurants and clubs in York are currently still open but seated and with online ordering processes - it all feels so different!

’It’s hard because you have to plan everything, booking tables and organising groups, we’re not able to have impromptu trips to the pub after sports matches with the whole team as we did last year!’

Asked what the biggest challenge has been for her so far, she said: ’I would say getting used to the regulations - wearing masks in supermarkets, maintaining social distancing - as we’ve been so used to normal life on the Island without all of that!’

In terms of the impact on the wider university community, she added: ’A few people have been struggling to stay within the rules, we had a case in York of a houseparty that was shut down by the police and those who went are now quite nervous at the consequences they may face!

’I would say a lot of people are struggling between wanting to see their friends and to stick with the rules so people aren’t following the guidelines quite how they should be.

’It’s a massive challenge to everyone’s mental health - the negative news can be really overwhelming so people are struggling to balance keeping up with the updates and new laws whilst not getting overwhelmed by the negativity of it all.’

James Georgeson, 25, is a second year deck cadet at the City of Glasgow College.

He has not been back to the island since March, having returned on the last boat back when the first border restrictions were introduced.

After working on board a ship from April-July, he stayed in the UK with his girlfriend and her family in a crowded flat as he could not afford to come home to the island and pay to quarantine at Mount Murray.

He couldn’t stay with his parents as they were both key workers.

At the end of August he was instructed to move into halls of residence as he would be required to be at college.

Upon arrival, he was told that he was not allowed to have any guests over, or to visit any other flats even if they were in the same building.

There was also a rent increase which he wasn’t told about, from £483 per month last year to £545 this year.

As for his studies, he said: ’All our lectures have been online and it’s hell, eight hours a day staring at a screen for lectures then another two-three when revising and doing portfolios.

’This course is not easy, we are learning to navigate ships and be officers on board. We need practical experience.

’Myself and fellow students are outraged we’ve all been forced up to Glasgow, where everything is going to be online until January 29.

’The halls of residence internet is awful and IT systems fail or run slowly daily, this is not fit for purpose. With new Scottish government restrictions coming into force, we are now being banned from going pubs, we are prisoners, we’ve been forced to be here.’

Asked about the developing situation of Covid-19 outbreaks across university campuses in the UK, Minister for Education, Sport and Culture Dr Allison MHK said: ’You don’t have to be a parent to be concerned about the developing situation in universities across.

The department has been in contact with universities, some of whom have developed their own testing regime.

’Most have switched some lessons and lectures online but have preserved some face to face teaching often essential for education.

’I am concerned about Isle of Man students who may have to self-isolate in halls of residence which often have small rooms and are not designed for long-term confinement.

’Our students are resilient and have the ability to adapt to a changing situation whilst also showing the desire to continue with their education.

The department is committed to support them during their studies and the Council of Ministers is reviewing the current border restrictions in advance of the Christmas period.’

Manx students at UK universities have had a very different experience to what they would have expected before the global pandemic.

Students at a number of universities have been told to self-isolate following Covid outbreaks on campus.

The government has pledged to help bring students home should the UK situation deteriorate further and it goes into full lockdown.

We spoke to three Manx students to find out what university life has been like so far under Covid-19 restrictions.

Emma Draper, 19, is in her second year studying journalism at Portsmouth University.

She says it was strange to return to the UK after living freely without restrictions in the island.

Emma said: ’I knew it was going to be strange going back to social distancing, one-way systems and wearing a mask pretty much everywhere.

’But the reality is that I feel like I’ve time-travelled back to March when these were still necessary precautions that we had to take in the island, and there were fines or prison sentences for not adhering to the new laws.

’And yet here in Portsmouth it’s almost like people aren’t bothered by the fact that there’s still a global pandemic raging.

’Maybe it’s only because I’ve come out of some weirdly protected bubble where we’ve been free to hug our friends or throw parties with more than six people since June, that I find people to be very nonchalant about the whole thing.

’It’s more noticeable at the clothes shop I work in and I find it hilarious but also slightly worrying that I have to change my opinion on the current situation for pretty much all the customers I serve.

’My current situation is that I’m sat in my pyjamas in my flat in Portsmouth, with the sun shining, knowing that going to work is risky and I could put my flatmates, who both have asthma, at risk.

’I’m also wondering whether I’m going to have to launch a search party for my university timetable because we still don’t have it the week before we’re meant to start.’

SEMINARS

Caitlin Allinson, daughter of Education Minister Dr Alex Allinson, is going into her second year studying law at York University.

She says that because of the importance of face-to-face seminars for her degree, the law school was able to ensure some still took place with facemask and social distancing requirements.

Lectures which would typically include 200 people are now all online.

Asked how different the social life is compared to last year, she said: ’There’s absolutely been a shift, obviously with the six-person rule in place we can’t meet up as sports teams or society committees to have meetings and socials.

’It’s hard to meet with people, having to pick and choose so you adhere to the group maximums.

’Bars, restaurants and clubs in York are currently still open but seated and with online ordering processes - it all feels so different!

’It’s hard because you have to plan everything, booking tables and organising groups, we’re not able to have impromptu trips to the pub after sports matches with the whole team as we did last year.’

Asked what the biggest challenge has been for her so far, she said: ’I would say getting used to the regulations - wearing masks in supermarkets, maintaining social distancing - as we’ve been so used to normal life on the Island without all of that!’

In terms of the impact on the wider university community, she added: ’A few people have been struggling to stay within the rules, we had a case in York of a houseparty that was shut down by the police and those who went are now quite nervous at the consequences they may face.

’I would say a lot of people are struggling between wanting to see their friends and to stick with the rules so people aren’t following the guidelines quite how they should be.

’It’s a massive challenge to everyone’s mental health - the negative news can be really overwhelming so people are struggling to balance keeping up with the updates and new laws whilst not getting overwhelmed by the negativity of it all.’

James Georgeson, 25, is a second year deck cadet at the City of Glasgow College.

He has not been back to the island since March, having returned on the last boat back when the first border restrictions were introduced.

After working on board a ship from April-July, he stayed in the UK with his girlfriend and her family in a crowded flat as he could not afford to come home to the island and pay to quarantine at Mount Murray.

He couldn’t stay with his parents as they were both key workers.

At the end of August he was instructed to move into halls of residence as he would be required to be at college.

Upon arrival, he was told that he was not allowed to have any guests over, or to visit any other flats even if they were in the same building.

RENT INCREASE

There was also a rent increase which he wasn’t told about, from £483 per month last year to £545 this year.

As for his studies, he said: ’All our lectures have been online and it’s hell, eight hours a day staring at a screen for lectures then another two-three when revising and doing portfolios.

’This course is not easy, we are learning to navigate ships and be officers on board. We need practical experience.

’Myself and fellow students are outraged we’ve all been forced up to Glasgow, where everything is going to be online until January 29.

’The halls of residence internet is awful and IT systems fail or run slowly daily, this is not fit for purpose. With new Scottish government restrictions coming into force, we are now being banned from going pubs, we are prisoners, we’ve been forced to be here.’

Asked about the developing situation of Covid-19 outbreaks across university campuses in the UK, Minister for Education, Sport and Culture Dr Allison MHK said: ’You don’t have to be a parent to be concerned about the developing situation in universities across.

The department has been in contact with universities, some of whom have developed their own testing regime.

’Most have switched some lessons and lectures online but have preserved some face to face teaching often essential for education.

’I am concerned about Isle of Man students who may have to self-isolate in halls of residence which often have small rooms and are not designed for long-term confinement.

’Our students are resilient and have the ability to adapt to a changing situation whilst also showing the desire to continue with their education.

The department is committed to support them during their studies and the Council of Ministers is reviewing the current border restrictions in advance of the Christmas period.’