A Western University student in Hong Kong on an exchange program says he's taking care to stay safe as clashes between protesters and police intensify.

"There's been a lot of destruction of property everywhere and I'm pretty upset about that," said the student, who CBC News is identifying only as 'Jon' to ensure his safety. "I've seen stores up in flames and tear gas outside my window."

Jon went to Hong Kong in the summer as part of an exchange program. He was excited for the placement, having visited the former British colony as a child.

"Hong Kong always holds a special place in my heart," he said. "When the opportunity came up to do an exchange, Hong Kong was at the top of my list."

The protests in Hong Kong started in June over a proposed extradition bill that would have allowed suspects to be sent to mainland China for trial. Activists saw the legislation as part of a continuing erosion of rights and freedoms that Hong Kong was promised it could keep when Britain returned its former colony to China in 1997.

The Hong Kong government withdrew the bill months later, but clashes between protesters and police have continued to became more violent. Protestors have also increased their demands, calling for an independent investigation into police suppression of the demonstrations and fully democratic elections.

Street clashes have forced the closure of the University of Hong Kong campus where Jon was to attend classes.

"There's a sadness to see a city I visited as a kid come to a situation like this," he said. "I'm tired of the protest going on all the time."

With weeks left in the semester, all classes have been cancelled. Instead, students are working entirely online, taking exams and submitting essays online.

"Our campus is completely trashed," said Jon. "There's graffiti and broken glass everywhere. It's a little upsetting seeing what has become of the city and I'm worried about the future of the city."

On Saturday both York University and the University of Toronto urged their exchange students to come home.

Montreal's McGill University, Queen's University in Kingston, Ont., and the University of British Columbia are also urging students to head back to Canada.

Western University sent an email on Wednesday to students telling them they should consider coming home.

Jim Weese, Western's acting vice-provost international, said seven students are currently enrolled in different programs at universities in Hong Kong. One has returned home and another is expected to come back this weekend.

University staff have been in communication with students on a regular basis since the summer, Weese said.

"Our priority is always their safety and security, and we've talked with our students and ensured that they are safe and secure," he said. "All the students have said they feel safe, secure and supported and they wish to stay in the region. If they need help, we are there for them."

On Wednesday, a small band of anti-government protesters, their numbers diminished by surrenders and failed escape attempts, remained holed up at a Hong Kong university as they braced for the endgame in a police siege of the campus.

Police were waiting them out after 10 days of some of the most intense protests the city has seen in more than five months of often-violent unrest gripping the semi-autonomous Chinese city. Since the siege began Sunday, more than 1,000 people were arrested and hundreds of injured treated at hospitals, authorities said.

Jon said he's become fearful about speaking Mandarin, the language spoken most widely in mainland China.

"Mainlanders have been attacked for speaking Mandarin," he said.

For now, Jon plans to take a day-by-day approach.

"It was one of the safest places in the world, I'm a little sad that it's turned into this."