Items
Mediator is exactly
College COVID Stories
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2021-12-08
Sydney Inouye, Cole Zaleski Oral History, 2021/12/08
We are discussing the comparisons between COVID-19 and previous pandemics, as well as how the pandemic has impacted our first year of college. -
05/16/2020
Kevin Secker Oral History, 2020/05/16
University of Wisconsin Eu Clair student, Glenn Walborn interviewed Tyson factory security worker Kevin Secker. In this interview Secker discusses how the pandemic has impacted his life. Secker is also a student and discusses how his classes have changed to accommodate online learning. Also discussed is Seckers new job as a plant security guard for Tyson factory in New London, Wisconsin. He discusses the changes that factory workers had to adhere to and their reaction to all those changes. He also discusses his opinions on government response to the pandemic and skepticism he experienced in the factory. He briefly discusses conspiracy theories he has heard and remedies that some factory workers have been sharing. Secker finished off the interview with hopes for the future and lessons he hopes we as a society have learned. -
11/30/2020
Brent Lameyer Oral History, 2020/11/30
C19OH -
05/06/2021
Bekah Henn Orak History, 2021/05/06
C19OH -
2021-12-03
Jorge Martinez Oral History, 2021/12/03
Student Jorge Martinez relates how his experience as a St. Mary's University student living on campus for the first time in Fall 2020 amid the pandemic. Jorge was able to contact the office of student retention and Student Life to support the challenges he was facing during the pandemic. -
2021-12-03
Christian Sandoval Oral History, 2021/12/03
An interview with Christian Sandoval, a UTSA senior who graduated during the pandemic, on how the pandemic affected his graduation and career options. -
2021-12-03
Kaitlin Teniente Oral History, 2021/12/03
An interview with the Director of Esports at St. Mary's University, Kaitlin Teniente, discussing how the pandemic affected interacting with the students through esports and other casual videogame events. -
2021-12-01
Ana Suarez Oral History, 2021/12/01
I interviewed a student that attends St. Mary’s University and is a work study in the Law School. I wanted to get her voice out and get an idea of what her perspective was on this ongoing pandemic. Hearing her and speak about where she was when the pandemic struck really reminded me that we all faced the same problems and that no one knew what the outcome was going to be. As a student in college, I’m sure that it was just as hard to know that schools would be shutting down and having no clue as to what the next step would be. Going back home and attending class virtue was hard especially if some did not have the resources for online fees, or laptops, etc. Hearing from Ana, and knowing that she struggled financially while in quarantine and making ends meet really makes us think that everyone had it hard. But in the long run she was able to go back to school and received the vaccination and made sure she followed all the policies that were in effect at the University. At least make it feel like some things were back to normal. -
2020-03-12
An Online University
Choosing a university to go to is a life-changing choice. For most it is also a difficult one. With coronavirus restrictions in place, many students could not tour the schools they wanted to in person. It was because of this many schools began offering virtual tours. St. Mary's was one of these schools. I personally toured St. Mary's virtually. I didn't mind this option because I was already pretty sure I wanted to go there. The virtual tour was eye catching and easily accessible. I could see though how a virtual tour could be impersonal for others who were struggling to make a choice. It's not easy to capture an experience through a computer screen. -
2021-11-29
Rattler Retention
This is an oral interview with two employees of the Office of Students retention at St. Mary's University. This showcases how the office of student retention played its part in guiding the transition from in-person to online and back to in-person classes throughout the pandemic. Their dedication to supporting students throughout the pandemic enriched the student experience for rattlers coming back to campus after an all online semester. -
2020-08-11
Desperate Times Call For Desperate Measures
I think I speak for most students when I say that when we were sent home during Spring 2020, I was confused about how we were supposed to go about things from now on. Personally, that confusion increased when they announced we would be returning virtually for Fall 2020. What about the students with younger siblings? What about the students who had sick family members? What about the students who had to get another job when their parents lost theirs? What about the students who were not able to access the internet? The attendance policy created specifically for Fall 2020 displays the different accommodations the university was able to provide for students asking these questions as well as many others that pertained to their specific situation. It was a tough time for everyone and each of us had our unique circumstances. This is one of the ways our university showed their support in the best and only way they knew how. -
09/30/2020
Joseph Spataro Oral History, 2020/09/30
This interview consists of a perspective of a white male from Vermont living in Florida for the school year, whom has experienced COVID from the rural suburbs of Vermont, to the maskless warzone that is Florida. His perspective is one from a gamer, only knowing the interviewer though playing videogames together. -
12/11/2020
Damir Kovacevic Oral History, 2020/11/16
Professor Damir Kovacevic was born in Bosnia before coming to the United States. He has lived across the midwest but currently lives in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Damir works as an assistant professor of political science at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire with a focus on international relations. In this interview, Damir Kovacevic discusses how the pandemic has affected his life, profession, and emotions. Damir provides insight into how the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire has handled the pandemic with testing and closing the college for the remainder of the Fall 2020 semester. Damir also touches on how Eau Claire, the state of Wisconsin, the United States, and foreign countries on the international scale handled the pandemic. He discusses how teaching as a career has changed and adapted to the pandemic. He discusses topics such as the media and misinformation when it comes to healthcare and the virus, but also the general decay in trust. -
12/11/2020
Emily Martinsen, Brian Dombrowski and Morgan Moe Oral History, 2020/11/11
The contributor of this item did not include verbal or written consent. We attempted to contact contributor (or interviewee if possible) to get consent, but got no response or had incomplete contact information. We can not allow this interview to be listened to without consent but felt the metadata is important. The recording and transcript are retained by the archive and not public. Should you wish to listen to audio file reach out to the archive and we will attempt to get consent. -
2021-12-01
Staying healthy Coronavirus updates stmarytx.edu
This image adds to my exhibit, how St. Mary's University wants their community to stay healthy and they support student and faculty needs throughout the pandemic. -
2021-11-29
Sanaa Abid Oral History, 2021/11/29
This is an audio interview of Zaragoza director Sanaa Abid. She gave a behind the scenes looks into how the student orientation was organized working with other campus facilities to ensure a safe program for students and parents. She offered insight as her roles from a new student, a student leader, and a student director. From this interview, we are able to gain a better understanding of what the directors did during Zaragoza and how they accommodated to Covid-19. Students were able to still have an experience that allowed them to connect with other students and their families while still having a safe experience. From this interview, we can tell that the St. Mary’s Community came together to understand the different actions that were taken to ensure the program ran smoothly. Furthermore, Sanaa offered her unique experience from attending Zaragoza as a new student prior to Covid, a first time Zaragoza leader during 2020, and finally as Zaragoza Director during the summer of 2021. -
2021-11-29
Jacqueline Mendez Oral History, 2021/11/29
This is an interview with Zaragoza Leader Jacqueline Mendez about her experience as a student orientation leader during the summer of 2021. She describes her role as a Zaragoza leader and how her student orientation experience prior to the pandemic differed from those of her students during the summer with COVID-19. This interview offers personal insight to the effects of the pandemic as a new student attending St. Mary's. Jackie was able to connect her experience as a leader during the pandemic to her time enjoying Zaragoza as a new student prior to the pandemic. She describes the precautions that the university took during the summer during June of 2021 and August of 2021 when variants of the virus were changing and the state adopted different CDC guidelines. -
2021-07-29
Covid-19 Safety Post During Summer 2021
This screenshot of an Instagram post by the University that informs students to check for updates in their emails regarding safety procedures for Zaragoza days during the summer. The item was originally created by the StMU Rattler Family Instagram. This Instagram posts shows the University's attempt to reach out to the St.Mary’s community advising them about safety precaution for the summer. Prior to the pandemic, events for Zaragzoa were not required to consider maks requirements, vaccination and health test records, or social distancing. However, with the priority of keeping the student staff and new students safe, the University used social media as a way to adequately reach out to the community to inform them of where they can find updates about safety precautions. They did this by posting a simple visual that showed a rattler wearing his mask and asking students to check on their email for updates. -
2021-08-10
Zaragoza Training [Duplicate]
This screenshot of Zaragoza leaders training for their upcoming Zaragoza days during the summer of 2021. These students were wearing masks accommodating to COVID-19 guidelines. The item was originally posted by the Zaragoza Leaders Instagram, a page used to safely reach out to students. This Instagram post shows Zaragoza team leaders following COVID-19 guidelines established by the university. In the days leading up to Zaragoza Orientation, team leaders were required to attend planning events to ensure the proper execution of safe orientation days for students and parents. Through this post, Zaragoza leaders were able to reach out to students and the St. Mary’s community in a safe and timely matter. Despite the restrictions brought to college campuses by the pandemic, St. Mary’s was able to find creative ways to remain connected to the community -
2021-08-10
Zaragoza Training
This item is a screenshot of Zaragoza leaders training for their upcoming Zaragoza days during the summer of 2021. These students were wearing masks accommodating to COVID-19 guidelines. The item was originally posted by the Zaragoza Leaders Instagram, a page used to safely reach out to students. This Instagram post shows Zaragoza team leaders following COVID-19 guidelines established by the university. In the days leading up to Zaragoza Orientation, team leaders were required to attend planning events to ensure the proper execution of safe orientation days for students and parents. Through this post, Zaragoza leaders were able to reach out to students and the St. Mary’s community in a safe and timely matter. Despite the restrictions brought to college campuses by the pandemic, St. Mary’s was able to find creative ways to remain connected to the community. -
2021-11-09
Professor Perspective on University Changes
Dr. Sara Ronis, a theology professor at St. Mary’s University, gives us a faculty perspective on how she believes the university handled the COVID-19 pandemic. She feels that despite being in such difficult positions, the university made the decisions they knew would be best for the St. Mary’s community. As a professor, she immediately thought of her students when COVID cases began to rise and the possibility of being sent home became an even more real possibility. She admires how St. Mary’s students, new and returning, have adapted to these new learning environments. -
2021-11-29
St. Mary's University COVID 19 testing site(s)
This is one of many COVID 19 testing centers. We were fortunate to have this testing site made right here on St. Mary's University campus. -
2021-09-22
Helping Others during Covid-19 Pandemic
This is an excerpt from a video interview with Sister Grace that I and another student in my class did for a work project. Sister Grace is the Chaplin of the Law School at St. Mary’s University. Sister Grace graduated from St. Mary’s 1978 and worked in the undergrad Ministry and by 1993-94 in Law Ministry. Sister Grace has enjoyed watching students grow and succeed to becoming great people for the community. I used this excerpt because Sister Grace is someone who helps out the students and community and during the pandemic, she met a lot of people that ere going through hard times. Her and the church got together to help distribute food and clothing to the homeless, or whoever needed aid during the pandemic. She wanted to make sure everyone in the community was taken care of. Also, she even talks about how she got plenty of time to do more things during quarantine. -
2021-11-11
Commuter Student Perspective on University Changes
Chelsea Osorio is a commuter student at St. Mary’s University and among the many personally affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. In her interview she highlights key points about what changes she noticed around the university that were used to protect our community. From a student perspective, she explains how safe she felt at school, especially with all the guidelines that were put in place. This goes to show how St. Mary’s students, faculty, and staff were committed to ensuring not only a healthy online environment but also making sure we returned to a safe and healthy community. -
2021-11-22
First-year resident assistant: Covid Campus
It is obvious that the covid-19 pandemic has changed the college experience for all students. However, what was it like for those who do not know a pre-covid college experience. For some students, all they know is a covid campus. For Amanda Swan, a first-year resident assistant, her unique experience and the pandemic have allowed her to better relate to her residents. Having experienced a senior year of high school online and isolated gave makes allows her to better understand residents who have had similar experiences. Many residents who have not been on campus or have not been given the opportunity to experience a pre-covid college semester have been left to readjust to more social life. On top of many responsibilities of a resident assistant and academic duties, Amanda Swan is a very involved student navigating her way through college. Despite being her first time as a resident assistant and her first time living on campus, Amanda Swan has been able to serve as a resource for residents at St. Mary’s University. -
2021-08-16
Fall 2021: Creating Community No Longer Virtual
After attending college online and having virtual classes, many students were eager to come back to the St. Mary’s University community. However, creating a community has looked different from pre-covid semesters. Before the pandemic hit, student life and university programming council hosted many events. Residence life and resident assistants also hosted events for residents in the dorm halls. When everything was virtual resident assistants tried engaging with residents and creating community online. This consisted of watching movies, playing games, or just having a space to talk to each other. Now that residence halls are open and most classes are in-person, creating community looks a bit more like pre-covid semesters. Resident assistants are required to create engagement opportunities for their residents. There are several ways to do this like traditional planned programs, spontaneous get-togethers, bring-along events, etc. Although the programs resemble pre-covid semesters more than the last three semesters, covid is still something to beware of. When planning events, resident assistants consider how many people might attend, whether the space is indoors or outdoors, will there be food, etc. Resident assistants are also required to uphold and enforce covid policies like mask-wearing. So, while also trying to create a sense of community, residence life and student staff still try to create a safe environment. -
2020-01-05
The Beginning of the International Journey
During COVID-19 in 2020, some international students could not come to St. Mary’s due to closed embassies and lack of resources. In Spring 2021, international students came to continue their studies after studying online in their first semester. Days before coming to the U.S, international students received an email letting them know what they need to complete before arriving at the university. For some international students, this symbolizes the beginning of a new journey and the start of their experience at St. Mary’s University. -
2021-11-22
Paula Ferradas Oral History, 2021/11/22
Paula Ferradas Hiraoka is an international student at St. Mary’s University from Lima, Peru. After applying last year to St. Mary’s, Ferradas has come to the U.S to start her dream to become a good professional. In this interview we ask her experience as a new international student and how the resources in the university have given her the possibility to grow. -
2021-11-11
Every story matters – International Professor's Perspective
As an international student, I believe international professors also had it rough during the pandemic. For that reason, I interviewed Dr. Cortina, a professor at St. Mary's University. To show students that we all have a story to share with the world. -
04/20/2021
Alexis Hernandez Oral History, 2021/04/20
Alexis is a senior at St. Marys College majoring in political science. In this monologue she discusses her initial reaction to the COVID 19 pandemic, her employment status and how it was affected, and the economical effects she has witnessed due to the pandemic. She also discusses her family and home dynamic and her siblings response to online learning. She touches on social issues like racism and politics effect on society. She describes how she felt when she contracted COVID and how she spread it to her family. This monologue ends with her last thoughts and hopes for the future. -
2020-08-26
Emily Karreman Oral History 2020/08/26
C19OH -
2021-11-21
Andrea Moreno Oral History, 2021/11/21
The covid-19 pandemic has changed the college experience for all students. It changed the way we work, study, socialize, etc. How we adapt and adjust to attending university during the pandemic differs per person and their previous experience. For Andrea Moreno, an experienced resident assistant, the pandemic still left things uncertain. However, her unique experience and “normal” first year experience allowed her to remain as a resource for residents. Despite the move to online during Spring 2020, Moreno still reached out to students to check-in. Andrea Moreno also said that the Office of Residence Life even served as a resource for student staff like herself. Although the pandemic changed many things about the college experience, St. Mary’s University office of Residence Life and student staff (resident assistants) still manage to serve the campus community. -
2021-11-22
Stop the Spread
St. Mary's University made some major changes in preparations for the return of students and staff on campus for this Fall semester of 2021. Signs posted as a reminder to wear your masks and new hand sanitizing stations have eased the fear of Covid potentially outbreaking in the university. Updates on their website have helped students and staff keep updated on new rules to prevent the spread and habits that we can maintain to keep everyone healthy and safe. -
2021-08-17
The New Normal
As students and faculty returned for a fully in-person college experience, the university had to keep certain guidelines in place to ensure the safety of the St. Mary’s community. However, university officials had to keep in mind that we are still in the middle of a pandemic and students and faculty are still being affected. Fall 2021 was definitely a unique experience for everyone as we returned from a weird year and a half of hybrid courses. This semester was our little taste to going back to normal, or even more so, we got a taste of the new “normal.” -
2021-10-21
Paul Uhlig Oral History, 2021/10/21
I strongly believe that every perspective matters. We as students do not see what professors had to go through. We were aware of the situation, but I believe an interview with a professor from St. Mary’s University could help students to see the magnitude of the pandemic. COVID-19 affected all of us and that is why I think we should see everyone’s perspective and that includes the professor’s perspective. We can see Dr. Uhlig’s point of view with this interview and how the pandemic affected his profession. -
2021-08-16
Fall 2021: Another Semester of Transition
Returning to campus in Fall 2021 after three semesters at home has been interesting, to say the least. It has been a semester of transition and relearning for students, faculty, and staff. Fall 2021 semester has required learning to be away from family again, living in dorms, being in a classroom, etc. As a first-time resident assistant during this time of great change and uncertainty, there has been a learning curve. Being a resident assistant and working for the office of residence life has made it clear that covid-19 changed the way students experienced college. It's evident that the current student population (first-year students to fourth-year students) do not share a “normal” first-year experience. Fall 2019 first-year students never experienced a complete spring semester on campus. Fall 2020 first-year students had the option to live on campus but all classes and all or most campus resources were virtual. Fall 2021 first-year students are the first group to experience St. Mary's as it is now with its current policies. As a resident assistant during this time, it is imperative to take these unique experiences into account when serving as a campus resource. Covid-19 has also required the implementation of policies to keep the community safe. For the dorm halls, resident assistants are the ones to uphold and enforce policies that require residents to wear facemasks outside of their personal living spaces. So, in an already complicated and uncertain time, resident assistants must hold each other and their peers accountable. -
2020-03-14
Sarah Uhlig Oral History, 2020/03/14
During this interview, I am talking with my classmate Sarah Uhlig about our experience in the program of Empower: Ecuador, since we were both on it together. The main purpose of this interview was to get an insight into what it was for another student like me, to have missed a trip to Ecuador due to COVID-19. Just to clarify, this was not any trip. This was a missionary trip for which we were preparing ourselves to go for most of the semester. As the trip was canceled, we recognized that the program was much more than just traveling to Ecuador. Rather, the program was about our personal lives and the way in which we relate to others around us that are in different seasons and circumstances in life. Another very important thing, was self-reflection into how we were utilizing our gifts and field of interest to not only serve others but be present with others. Many things were learned from this course and Sarah, will be sharing with you her experience despite the challenges and messiness that COVID-19 brought. -
2021-10-04
Support during the pandemic
This photo shows support that was available during the pandemic for those who were needing that extra support or developing coping skills. I'm sure it was a great feeling to know that these services were available for those who were needing this extra support during COVID-19 pandemic. -
2021-08-05
New Beginnings - Meal Vouchers for International Students
The meal voucher was made for international students coming during the first weekend of August and did not have food, nor was the cafe open for them to eat. During the summer of 2021, communication between the University Cafeteria and the Center for International Programs was complex due to changes inside the Center for International Programs. No plans were made for the incoming students coming that weekend. For that reason, the Center for International Programs had to create a meal voucher to eat at Starbucks or Chick-fil-a inside the campus. Twenty students were coming in the weekend, and the CIP team had to check them in, bring food supplies, and pick them up from the airport. -
2021-01-10
The Desperate Times Continue
Students slowly began to return to campus and in-person classes as we moved into the second full semester during COVID. While policies were still place for things such as masks and attendance, they became more lenient as COVID “lessened.” This goes to show how difficult it could have been for the people in the positions to make these decisions. Their decisions were based on the new information that was being released by public health officials throughout the pandemic. -
2020-04-23
St. Mary's C.A.R.E.S
Many students from the start of the pandemic have had to turn to governmental assistance from the CARES act to help pay for their tuition or college-related expenses. This item showcases one of the most prominent government relief programs that were available to STMu students and college students nationwide. This funding was essential for many college-aged students who may not have qualified for the stimulus package or unemployment but who were facing the negative financial effects of the pandemic. -
2021-11-01
Getting Funds to get Students Home due to COVID-19 Pandemic
When this series of emails was sent to St. Mary's Faculty and Staff it really hit hard and really touched me. I didn't realize that some students did not have any means of getting back home, students were not prepared for this at all and due to the pandemic all dorms and classes were cancelled, they were worried they would not make it home. So, St. Mary's sent an email out reaching out to everyone that was able to give funds and send students home. When this pandemic hit us no one was prepared for what was to come. -
2021-08
Zaragoza Orientation Program
This orientation program shows the different accommodations that have been made to ensure a safe experience during Zaragoza days. Prior to the pandemic, the events scheduled for students would be held in person so that students would have the opportunity to interact face to face and make new connections with other students. However, the Zaragoza days held in August 2021 integrated both in person and online orientation events. This program shows that some of the scheduled events were held on Zoom during different sessions. This was to ensure that students were provided with safe and easy access to learn more about being and undergrad at St. Mary's while not completely limiting their orientation experience by still holding in person events that adhered to Covid-19 guidelines. -
2021-08
The Zaragoza Project: A Covid Experience
For this item, I wanted to highlight the differences in the Zaragoza student orientation for incoming freshmen and transfer students. This is a program that happens at the beginning of every school year. My class, entering St. Mary's in Fall 2019 was the last class to have a normal experience prior to the pandemic. However, since the pandemic, many operations have had to change to ensure the safety of those involved. The Fall 2020 Zaragoza experience was entirely over zoom. With the school now transitioning back to in person teaching, Zaragoza leaders had to the opportunity and challenge to create a Zaragoza experience like never seen before that provided safe interaction among all students and parents. These screenshots specifically showed a rushed project that needed to be approved in a short amount of time that accommodated both to the universities expectations while following the state's guidelines. -
2021-08-17
Last Minute Changes in Teaching
For Fall 2021, some teachers gave the option to zoom into class for students who were not comfortable being present in person. Out of my five classes, only two had this option specifically stated. I planned to attend all classes in person but the day before class was due to start one teacher switched to remote only. Initially, I was okay with it. It was the first class of the day so maybe I wouldn't have to get up so early. Then I realized I would have to wake up early anyway. The class after the remote one was ten minutes after. I would of had to rush even if the class was on campus. Situations like these showed that things were even unexpectedly changing for teachers. While the situation may have slightly inconvenienced me, I'm sure it wasn't ideal for the teacher either. -
2020-07-25
A Different Online Meeting
Athletics has always been a big part of bringing together a school's community. It's an important aspect for not just the athletes but also the supporters. The complete cancellation of sporting events can be a jarring disruption to a school's morale and spirit. The rising of popularity of esports and competitive videogames though has been helpful in keeping people connected. Though physical, in person sports have been cancelled, classmates can still keep in touch with each other through their school's team by playing and watching the school's online games. The St. Mary's esports team has provided a way for people for people with similar interests to meet without actually ever seeing each other in person. A placement on the team isn't even necessary. Videogames have been an important outlet for me in the pandemic to keep me mentally happy. The closure of many places and the inability to see certain people in real life has made me rely on them instead. -
2020-06-30
Resident Assistants: When Residence Halls Re-Open
After being sent home during Spring 2020 the Office of Residence Life changed the way it functioned. With that, student staff like resident assistants also had to change how they did their jobs. Creating community, health and safety checks, and engagement opportunities were all completed virtually. As many discovered, going to college via zoom came with many difficulties. What about when campuses were opening back up? What about the uncertainties regarding the growing pandemic after Spring 2020? In preparation for Fall 2020 and anticipation of re-opening residence halls, policy changes were made. Students were also asked to join the "Protect St. Mary's Pledge", a commitment to holding ourselves and our community accountable, ensuring we take the necessary precautions and follow policy. The Office of Residence Life and resident assistants were at the forefront of enforcing these new policies and keeping dorm halls safe. Resident assistants played a significant role in trying to make campus and residence life a bit normal again by creating community and engaging with residents, this time while taking covid-19 precautions. In a time of great transition and uncertainty, resident assistants served as student health ambassadors and vessels for the University's mission and policies. -
2020-03-20
How To Be a Resident Assistant During Covid-19
This is a pdf of the resident assistant job description when St. Mary's University decided to go virtual. The described duties of the resident assistant showcase how St. Mary's Residence life was trying to serve students regardless of being off-campus. The job description really shows the sense of community that exists on campus and persevered virtually. As a freshman during Spring 2020, I along with many others, never expected to be sent home. I also never expected an institution to care so much about the well-being of its students especially when the whole world was in chaos at the time. However, as seen here, even student staff like resident assistants reached out and made themselves available to their peers. Resident assistants had 1:1 conversations with residents at home designed to check-in and share resources. Even the resident assistants themselves were required to have one-on-one meetings with their supervisors also to check-in. While student staff was trying to facilitate community and safety virtually, they too were being taken care of by residence life. -
2021-08-21
Every story matters – Continuing the Heritage 2021
Continuing the Heritage is a wonderful event that St. Mary’s puts on for its students and staff. It allows all members of the university to participate in a day of service, offering over 30 volunteer opportunities to join on that day. CTH not only brings the student community together but also connects the students to the city of San Antonio and its community. Even with Covid, when everything went remote, St. Mary’s still found ways to make CTH happen and found opportunities for students to volunteer remotely. This year was my second time participating in CTH and I really enjoyed it. The first time I did it was freshman year and I worked with No Graffiti SA and this year I helped in the library at Locke Hill Elementary School. Both times were very fun and rewarding as I got to not only volunteer with friends but also be able to spend some time giving back to my community even during a pandemic. -
2021-11-01
my unplanned graduate studies journey
My story happened precisely a month after our national lockdown in Saudi Arabia, which was in March 2020, at that time I was applying for a scholarship to continue my higher education degree anywhere in the West, either in The UK or The United States, so my dream began to almost vanish after applying for one of the UK universities and they asked for an IELTS score, though I told them IELTS centers were shut down in Saudi Arabia at that time, unfortunately, they just assumed I had no other alternative rather than sticking with that condition! no exceptions! no mercy in another word you could say! though I have provided them with a very recent IELTS score very close to the overall score they asked for, I even begged them and asked them for any alternative test they could provide me since I explained to them the situation that no IELTS / TOFEL venues were open! , they just put me down and made me search for another option, which was Pitt one of the top PA or even nationwide universities to provide with accredited graduate Master of Library and Information Science. luckily when I applied they pre-accepted my application and they gave me an option which I never thought about it as a way of such a good university as Pitt would accept it, since that kind of online test was newly launched. so I fought a lot to get that offer letter to provide it to the scholarship provider as I had little hope to meet that condition of having the offer letter on that particular short notice deadline and the very deadly period of the peak of the global disaster of covid19. I THANK YOU VERY MUCH FROM THE DEPTH OF MY HEART, 1- PITT ADMISSIONS STAFF FOR PROVIDING ME THAT ALTERNATIVE OPTION OF PROVIDING THEM WITH AN ACCEPTABLE ONLINE ENGLISH TEST. 2- DUOLINGO FOR BEING THERE FOR US AT THAT HARD TIME! 3-MY SCHOLARSHIP PROVIDER FOR ALLOWING ME TO CONTINUE MY FURTHER STUDIES IN ONE OF THE TOP UNIVERSITIES OF THE UNITED STATES.