It has been over six months since the US first began the lockdown to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Though there is still a long way to go before we return to the way things were, protocols have lifted to the point where we are starting to feel some sense of normalcy.
For most international students, the new semester has started and classes are back in full swing. Whether you’re taking classes remotely or are back living on campus, all students are dealing with the balancing act of figuring out how to stay healthy while trying to take full advantage of the opportunities being offered for those attending school in the US.
Everyone across the country is dealing with the issues of the pandemic and no one’s experience is exactly the same. Though it may sometimes seem like you’re alone, those in the international student community are fighting the same battle right now and being affected in their own unique way.
With this, we asked some of our members a few questions regarding their experience returning to classes amidst the pandemic. Read below to see their responses!
Featuring
What school are you currently attending? Are you taking classes in-person this semester or is everything fully online?
“I am currently enrolled at Notre Dame of Maryland University. I have hybrid class. Lecture is through zoom, however clinical is on campus. So, I have to go school two days a week.” – Leena
“University of Pittsburgh. I’m enrolled in hybrid classes, but for now all of them are being held online.” – Clara Bueno
“I am attending Butler Community College. I am taking classes face to face.” – Nathaniel
What protocols has your school put in place to limit the spread of COVID-19? Did you need to get tested before returning to campus?
“The University of Arkansas has implemented guidelines to be followed in order to guarantee a safe environment for everyone, such as requiring the use of mask or face shield, limiting the number of people gathered together, asking us to keep a safe distance of six feet apart from anyone else whenever possible.” – Fernando
“They have created a Medical Response Office that is doing surveillance testing every week. They have facilities to isolate students that have been diagnosed with COVID. Plus, a daily COVID health check is mandatory for the first 14 days upon arrival. I didn’t need to get tested – I just was in quarantine for that period.” – Clara Bueno
Do you feel safe being on campus? What is your level of concern about catching COVID-19?
“I definitely am stressed because it’s a huge crowd of college students and staff which is not easy to monitor. There might be measures taken but not everyone is following them. Being an international student with limited family here, I don’t want to get infected and face it by myself in a foreign country.” – Nia
“I feel safe because we are following the guidelines instructed by the University. Also due to the testing, the University is monitoring all the cases and the number of positive results has being dropping. The University also implemented the contact tracing this semester in order to keep track of our situation.” – Fernando
Do you feel you are getting the “full” college experience this fall semester? Are there still in-person events being held at your school or is everything being held virtually?
“No, I do not. We still have events but the social distancing and masks really limit the experience.” – Jim
“I wouldn’t say full college experience but somehow it is satisfactory because of recorded lecture we can go over the topic again and again. There is no time to have a social life as there is a lot of reading and lectures to follow, as well as assignments and exams.” – Leena
“Most events are held virtually except for students living in the dorms. Social life and grad school experience is definitely not the same as planned but it’s better to be safe than sorry. Accepting this new norm with a smile and sense of relief.” – Nia
Do you have family in the US or are they still located in your home country? How have they been doing through this all? Are they concerned about you being in the US?
“I have family here. But my mom and my brother are in Venezuela. It has been rough and difficult for them. The pandemic has affected their income greatly. They are not concerned about me. On the contrary, they are happy I am here.” – Jim
“My family lives in Brazil, but I really wish I could bring them with me. Fortunately, they have not exhibited any symptom, but they are my biggest concern because I feel like they are more vulnerable than me. They ask me to take care here and we keep checking in to see how everyone is feeling on these days.” – Fernando
How has your visa status been affected by the pandemic? Will you still be graduating on time?
“My visa status was not affected by this pandemic. I plan to finish Butler by the end of this semester so I will graduate in time and transfer to another college.” – Nathaniel
“It was super hard to get my F1 visa on time. The US embassy at my country was closed for a long time. I had to request an emergency appointment when it opened. I also had to follow the first week of classes from my home country, as I wasn’t able to flight to the US before.” – Clara Bueno
What have you been doing to entertain yourself during the pandemic? How have your feelings changed as the months have passed? Are you feeling better or worse than you did at the beginning of the lockdown?
“I’ve been cooking a lot more, redecorating my room, painting, and catching up on Netflix. I’m definitely feeling better. I don’t have to rush in the mornings or waste time traveling. It’s really been a different experience.” – Nia
“I’ve been working more than before, going out for walks and hikes almost every week, and watched a lot of movies. I still feel a lot of stress, but I’m feeling better than I did at the beginning of the lockdown. I think I’m slowly getting used to this new normality.” – Clara Bueno
“I think I am still feeling the same during the pandemic. When I have free time, I take a walk outside and watch something on Hulu.” – Nathaniel
The experiences the international student community is going through are very similar and people have different mindsets towards what is occurring. We hope this sheds some insight and shows that whatever feelings you are having about the situation are valid!
ISO will continue to support our members in whatever ways we can and we hope that you use our platform to try to come together with your fellow international students. These are trying times and having a solid support system will help everyone get through this a little easier.
We’d like to thank everyone who participated and we hope you all stay in touch! If there’s anything you’d like to share with ISO, feel free to reach out to us on social media.
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ISO Member Spotlight Series
