Rawan Ahmed, an Egyptian student of Confucius Institute of Suez Canal University, learns Chinese during online classes in Ismailia, Egypt on March 22, 2020. To control the spread of the novel coronavirus, the Egyptian government temporarily suspended schools, universities and all classes, halted flights and closed museums and archeological sites nationwide.[Photo/Xinhua]

Her colleagues Rawan Ahmed and Aisha Mostafa agreed that "the online learning environment is comfortable," but they were concerned about gaining weight because of staying at home. They also said they missed their teachers and colleagues.

During the spread of COVID-19 pandemic worldwide, most countries, including China and Egypt, resorted to online classes to continue the educational process.

Online classes and lectures have become a "shared destiny" for all students across the world in the light of the novel coronavirus.

Zhang Tinghong, a teacher at Confucius Institute of Suez Canal University, confessed that Chinese online classes are still "not easy" because of lacking the ability to interact directly and closely with the students.

"Meanwhile, some students are of low income families and can't access the internet except through their mobile phones for additional charges, while we seek to minimize expenses for the students," Zhang pointed out.

In addition to Chinese learning online classes, Confucius Institute provides classes on Chinese Wushu, one of the oldest, largest and most famous styles of Chinese martial arts.

"I record clips of Ba Duan Jin exercises and send them to the students through our online classes to teach them how to maintain physical fitness and healthiness and avoid epidemics," said Lyu Meng, a teacher at Confucius Institute of Suez Canal University.

Despite the challenges, the Chinese teachers and the Egyptian students continue to explore the best ways of communication through online classes, and go on with the educational process regardless of the nationwide class suspension.

"I have never imagined that we will have to study and live in this way like many people do on the other side of the world," said Egyptian student Attiya Wael.

"I hope that all people and countries in the world unite and join hands to overcome the ongoing pandemic as soon as possible," the Egyptian young man told Xinhua.