Items
Date is exactly
2020-02-29
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2020-02-29
Studying Abroad During the Pandemic & Feelings of Uncertainty
This is an email I sent St. Mary's study abroad coordinator, Raquel, at the end of February while I was studying abroad in Alcalá de Henares, Spain. Cases were increasing in surrounding cities and I was beginning to worry. Students from my international program at the Universidad de Alcalá were being sent home and I was unsure of what my options were at the time. Nobody knew how serious and widespread Coronavirus would become, but I feel grateful that I listened to my intuition and came home on March 12th before Trump decided to close the borders on March 13th. This experience is unforgettable to me and many others who were abroad at this time. -
2020-02-29
His Last Graduation
Life was already moving way too fast and I was struggling to keep up, and then my grandfather passed. Then the Corona virus outbreak began and suddenly made me a homeless college student with a full time job that I’m still obligated to report to. The remainder of senior year went out the window and we all knew a graduation ceremony would be the very least of anyone’s concerns. I would have never guessed that this picture would be the last graduation my grandfather would attend, back from high school, and the one that I so desperately couldn't wait for him to attend was now canceled. In a matter of a month, it felt like everything was being taken away. So right now, it has made me unavailable. I want to grieve when the emotions suddenly arise, heal on my own terms, put the pieces back together, find the strength and knowledge needed to still get my degree, and figure out life going forward. I will not apologize for this space that I’m in, but I hope to see you all on the other side. Bigger and better.