新型冠状病毒感染的肺炎疫情暴发期间，不少在华外籍人士与中国民众“同呼吸、共命运”。2月4日，湖北工业大学美籍外教苏珊·赛茨在美国撤侨回国之际给学校写信，坚信中国完全有信心、有能力战胜疫情。
疫情爆发后，苏珊和其他外教一起在学校的组织下，每天“打卡”，通报健康状况、食物供应情况、最新信息，互相回应问题及关切。她表示，作为社区的一份子，她感到一种强烈的归属感。
苏珊得到2月4日撤侨航班返回美国的机会后，心情非常沉重，她不想在此时离开中国，抛下众多挚友，但她的家人非常担忧她。她无奈之中选择了搭乘第二次撤侨航班于2月4日从武汉返回美国。临行前夜，苏珊匆匆给学校写下一封信，并授权可以将她的信向媒体公布。
苏珊信中认为，中国政府应对疫情行动迅速，危机响应达到最高优先级别，中国政府理应得到高度称赞。她还表示，她了解中国人民的力量、坚韧及善良，坚信中国完全有信心、有能力战胜疫情，赢得胜利。
据介绍，苏珊·赛茨是资深国际志愿者，英语公共演讲专家，多年执教于湖北工业大学，现为我校博士生英语培训班、中层管理干部英语培训班、外籍教师教学工作坊等系列精品培训项目主讲人。她的课堂生动活泼、内容丰富、形式多样，深受师生好评。她曾在湖北工业大学组织英语魔术俱乐部，寓教于乐、在师生群体中颇具影响力。
附苏珊写给学校的一封信：
WHAT I WANT TO SAY BEFORE I LEAVE
离别之际想说的话
作者：Susan K. Seats 【US】，Senior Instructor of Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, Hubei
翻译：陈晗（湖北工业大学国际交流与合作处）
My name is Susan Seats, I am an American citizen. I have been teaching at Hubei University of Technology in Wuhan both in the past and most recently. I have been very happy teaching here. The Department of International relations of the university has taken great care of its foreign teachers. This is especially true during this challenging time with the virus situation. We have had daily check-ins for health, food supply, updates, questions and concerns.
我叫苏珊·赛茨，是一名美国公民。我分别于多年前以及近几个月两度执教于湖北工业大学，一如既往地享受着我在这里的教学之旅。湖北工业大学国际交流与合作处一直对我们这些外籍教师关怀备至，尤其是在当前新型冠状病毒疫情的艰难时期。（在学校的组织下），我们每天“打卡”，通报健康状况、食物供应情况、最新信息，互相回应问题及关切。
It is with a heavy heart that I have decided to take the evacuation flight back to the states on Feb. 4th whenthe first evacuation flight was offered. The mere thought of leaving so many wonderful Chinese friends behind made me incredibly sad. I was told by an embassy staff person that this next evacuation would probably be the last chance to leave.
作出乘坐2月4日撤侨航班返回美国的决定，我满心沉重。这是我得到的第一个参加撤侨航班的机会。一想到即将抛下这么多中国的挚友，我便陷入了莫大的悲伤。使领馆的一名工作人员告诉我，这趟航班或许就是最后一次撤离的机会了。
I think the Chinese government deserves high praise for its quick action and the way it has made this crisis a top priority. The quick lockdown response, theinformation, insistence of face masks, have all been impressive measures.
中国政府（应对疫情）行动迅速，危机响应达到最高优先级别，我觉得中国政府理应得到高度称赞。迅速关闭离汉通道，及时通报信息、坚决实施“佩戴口罩”的防控措施，这些举措都令人印象深刻。
The Municipal Foreign Affairs Office has armed us with many important phone numbers plus a 24 hourconsultation hotline. As foreigners, we received a special digital letter which was both very supportive and informative about the situation
湖北省政府外事办公室为我们外籍人士提供了各类重要的应急联络号码，开通了24小时咨询热线。作为外籍人士，我们还收到一封特别的电子邮件，针对当前疫情状况提供了很多信息及相应支持。
There’s a strong sense of being part of community; most definitely it’s felt with our international office staff but even in a larger sense this whole area we live in. It’s a feeling that we are “all in this together”. Everyone seems to be trying their best to do their part by observing the warnings, following hygiene instructions, reading updates, and trying to keep a sense of calm.
作为社区的一份子，我有一种强烈的归属感。当然，这种归属感主要来源于我们国际交流与合作处的同事，又或者更宽泛一些，来源于我生活的整个区域。这种归属感就是一种“我们同在”的感觉。每个人都在以自己的方式努力着，谨遵提醒、注意卫生、关注实况、保持镇静。
Seeing in the newspaper all the international messages with offerings of help and praise for China’s response, I feel it is a reminder of how we are all globally connected.
从新闻上目睹来自世界各地的信息，表达支援意向或是称赞中国对疫情的响应，我再次感受到，跨越全球，我们同在。
I hope to be back again. China definitely occupies a big space in my heart. Each country has its problems and China is no different. Yet through the eyes of a lot of us foreign teachers who have lived and worked here. We appreciate this country, its rich traditions, its people, the ancient history, the amazing complex language, beautiful landscapes and its will to forge ahead with its high-speed trains, amazing subway system, bridges and architecturally unique buildings, I also appreciate the leadership and friendship that China offers to other countries
我期待再回来。毋庸置疑，中国在我心中占据了重要的地位。每个国家都有自身的问题，中国也不例外。然而，在我们众多有过在中国生活与教学经历的外籍人士眼里，我们欣赏这个国度---她丰富的传统习俗，她的人民，她的悠久历史，她令人惊叹的复杂语言，她的优美风景；我们欣赏她砥砺前行的决心，她的高铁与地铁系统令人叹为观止；我们欣赏她的桥梁和独具风格的建筑。我也赞叹她的领导力以及她向其他国家传递的友谊。
I hope this situation is resolved soon and that life can get back to normal. I will keep the people here in my heart and thoughts daily.
我希望疫情能尽快消除，生活尽早回归常态。我会每天挂念着这里的人们，他们在我的心里，我的脑海里。
As America tackles its yearly flu season (which kills thousands), it can learn much from the way China is handing this virus situation. I personally have learned a lot from this experience especially the value of wearing face masks.
当美国应对每年流感高发季的时候（通常数以千计的人丧生），我们应当借鉴中国应对此次疫情的经验。就我个人而言，我从中学到了很多，尤其是认识到佩戴口罩的重要性。
I read a quote by President Xi Jinping recently He said “China has the full confidence and capability to win the battle against the virus”.
我读到了习近平主席最近说的一句话：“中国完全有信心、有能力战胜疫情，赢得胜利”。
Knowing the strength, tenacity and goodness of the Chinese people I do believe he is right.
我了解中国人民的力量、坚韧及善良，我对他的话深信不疑。
