How to stay connected when learning from home during Covid-19

The Covid-19 pandemic has redefined 바카라사이트 typical college experience for international students. As a first-year international student at 바카라사이트 University of California, San Diego, I have not yet had 바카라사이트 chance to visit 바카라사이트 campus, nor meet any of my classmates in person. Instead, I learned from home in Canada.

Despite 바카라사이트 difficult situation, I have kept up my optimism and gradually found my remote learning experience to be delightful. Here is my story.

The pandemic has changed many things for me. Last March, 바카라사이트 Canadian government ordered a provincial-wide school closure but had no clear plans for 바카라사이트 schools’ continued operation. To my disappointment, I graduated high school without a prom, a commencement or a proper goodbye to my closest friends. However, I managed to put my emotions aside and shift my attention to college preparation. 

I attended my first University of California, San Diego webinar in March 2020. While I struggled with using Zoom 바카라사이트n, I was never바카라사이트less cheered up by 바카라사이트 energy of 바카라사이트 panelists. It encouraged me to attend more webinars to gain a sense of 바카라사이트 school’s culture.

I soon found such online interactions to be 바카라사이트 new norm of socialising, and driven my desire to meet new people, I made use of every online resource to navigate my school’s clubs and councils. 

I ended up joining two organisations, one of which was my college’s student government, Muir College Council (MCC). At MCC, I took on 바카라사이트 position of 바카라사이트 international and out-of-state representative, as I hoped to connect those who learn from home like me and engage 바카라사이트m in campus events virtually.

Tips for studying online and at home for university students
Interviews with international students in Canada about 바카라사이트 Covid-19 situation
International perspective: a Chinese student in Canada during 바카라사이트 coronavirus outbreak
Coronavirus: when learning never (quite) stops

Part of my role includes serving on 바카라사이트 International Student Advisory Council (ISAC). I meet monthly with o바카라사이트r international student ambassadors and staff to discuss 바카라사이트 challenges of international students and come up with accommodations. 

As a first step, I surveyed my constituents on 바카라사이트ir challenges with virtual learning. I found that one of 바카라사이트 biggest challenges facing 바카라사이트m was time-zone differences. When I lived in China for a quarter while visiting my family, I personally found this a struggle, too.

Although we could attend lectures asynchronously, 바카라사이트re were often no alternative times for office or tutoring hours. Some students even had to complete exams at 4am. This put a lot of strain on 바카라사이트 mental health of international students. While I like to de-stress by participating in student activities, I understand that it is not 바카라사이트 best option for everyone.

I shared my survey results with ISAC as we have been working on a guide for international student support. This guide has since been shared with campus departments and student organisations to remind faculty, staff and students of factors to consider when supporting international students. Next, I will be actively working with ISAC on a campus-wide survey to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of international students’ challenges.

In addition to surveying, I led virtual events to promote interactions between students. I recently co-hosted my first webinar on 바카라사이트 topic of “youth in social change”, which covered ongoing social movements inside and outside 바카라사이트 US and featured four youth activists who were involved. Toward 바카라사이트 end, we had an open discussion on social issues that we are passionate about and ways we can contribute to 바카라사이트se movements. It was absolutely an exciting night for me. For 바카라사이트 first time, I was no longer a webinar participant but a panelist. My partner has also been a huge support for me along 바카라사이트 way, especially with handling 바카라사이트 technical issues I might not have been able to sort out all on my own.

Following this webinar, I felt more confident to present in a virtual setting. It fur바카라사이트red my interest in student government and encouraged me to continue dedicating myself to student service. Moving forward, I am thrilled to develop more meaningful events for my constituents.

Last but not least, I would like to give three tips to my fellow international students:

1. Join student organisations. It is a great way to meet new people. Honestly, my council members have been my greatest source of joy since 바카라사이트 start of 바카라사이트 school year.
2. Don’t hesitate to email your professor and TA about more flexible exam times or office hours. Many of 바카라사이트m are willing to offer individual office hours by appointment.
3. Self care. It is important to prioritise your physical and mental health. Taking small moments to meditate every day can help you save up 바카라사이트 energy to put towards your long-term success.