A University of New England student trapped in Mongolia said quarantine feels like "house arrest".
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But Elich Nuolede, who is banned from flying back to Armidale by the Coronavirus travel ban, said he's better off than most.
He's one of as many as 100,000 international students at Australian universities stuck overseas by a ban on foreign travel designed to stop the spread of COVID-19.
The agricultural science master's student lauded the work of UNE and said the university is one of the most prepared in Australia to respond to the crisis.
"Personally speaking this situation has not affected my studies," he said by email.
"UNE has been working on this for many years. That's why Online Study Australia ranks UNE as Australia's best online university.
"I communicate with many of my Chinese friends who study at other Australian universities. They are truly frustrated as their universities are less equipped when it comes to online study.
"Of course, sometimes I feel a little bit lonely because I can't see my classmates face to face."
Mr Nuolede, who is Mongolian, has studied and lived in Armidale for 15 months.
He was trapped in Inner Mongolia after flying there last October for holidays.
The travel ban, announced on February 1, has trapped as many as an estimated 100,000 other Australian international university students overseas as university semesters start.
Elich Nuolede said his situation makes him "uncomfortable"
"It has totally ruined my holiday and schedule, it almost feels like a house arrest.
"Fortunately, the UNE International team contacts me regularly, it's so touching.
"They offer me useful solutions and answer my questions immediately.
"And UNE has told me that I will not be charged for my student accommodation until I am able to return to school."
Inner Mongolia has yet to be hit badly by Coronavirus.
Andrew Messenger
Politics, environment and energy journalist at the Northern Daily Leader. I also write about health, bushfires and occasionally music. I'm a Brisbane boy by way of Charleville and Hobart who now lives in in beautiful New England. Get me at andrew.messenger@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Politics, environment and energy journalist at the Northern Daily Leader. I also write about health, bushfires and occasionally music. I'm a Brisbane boy by way of Charleville and Hobart who now lives in in beautiful New England. Get me at andrew.messenger@austcommunitymedia.com.au
