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I was on the phone with my dad when Costa Rica, where he lives, decided to close its borders. Two minutes later Canada decided to do the same thing. I obviously started to panic. Would this mean I have to go home to Costa Rica? What about my spring classes in Italy, or my summer job? Would I be able to go home and then come back to Edmonton? Should I just stay here, wait it out, and see?
Two months ago the coronavirus was the last thing on my mind. When I decided to go to school away from home I never imagined this scenario in my head.
My initial thought was just go home, take the spring semester courses next year, graduate a bit later, and find another job at home. But would it be worth one day of being scared and making quick decisions to fall behind in my degree and lose work experience in Canada? Probably not. So I decided to stay in Edmonton. Once I made that decision I started thinking about how to make the best of my self-isolation situation.
1. Put things into perspective
It’s ok to grieve the things that got cancelled because of the pandemic: trips, hanging out with friends — maybe even your last semester in university was cut short. But I realized how lucky I was to have a nice place to stay in and cool roommates I could hang out with. The fact that I am healthy is also something I should also be thankful for (taking into consideration that our health is why we are socially isolating). The fact that we are living in this digital era also makes the transition smoother: classes are online, you can FaceTime with friends, and learn nearly anything from watching YouTube tutorials.
2. Keep in touch
Physical distancing doesn’t mean that you have to stop being social! Arrange virtual hangout dates with friends. There are so many platforms and apps made for this purpose! Take advantage of them. Don’t forget to check in with friends or family who are by themselves. Checking in with other international students who were going through a similar situation helped me out a lot. It made me realize that we are all on the same boat and that talking things out with someone who gets it, is much better for me than dealing with it alone.
3. Stay informed
Check the news, the university updates, and the travel policies often. It can get overwhelming if all you are doing is staring at exponential graphs and watching all the “informative” videos all your relatives are sending you in your family group chats. So try to find a balance between knowing all the relevant information and still having time to not think about it at all.
You can check out these resources for more information:
- Important information for students’ considering travelling home
- Check global travel restrictions and border closures by country
- Important information regarding IRCC and COVID-19
4. Follow a routine
I know, I know. Everyone is saying this same thing, but it’s true! Wake up at around the same time you used to for class — you can sleep in a little because you don’t have to commute! Get ready, even if it means putting on sweats every day. Try doing your online classes at around the scheduled time (I’ve turned my 8ams into 9ams), squeeze in a workout if it’s something you used to do and enjoyed doing before. Make sure you are eating all your meals and getting some veggies and fruits in you (I know free delivery on Uber Eats can be tempting, so order something healthy). Take advantage of the positive things that come with not leaving the house, like having extra time to do things you enjoy or sleeping in a little bit, but being able to follow a “normal” day routine will help you stay on top of your school work and it will make you feel accomplished and productive by the end of the day.
5. Do something that gets you excited
Try to do something you have been putting off because you “didn’t have enough time.” Well, you do now! Maybe you want to start painting again or learn how to embroider. Do fun things that you wouldn’t have done before. You can also share it (virtually) with your friends and family. My roommates and I have started doing paint parties and it’s amazing to see how fast time passes when you disconnect from everything and stop thinking about all the craziness that is going on.
Times like these are frustrating and scary for everyone, and being away from home makes it feel a little bit harder. Keep in mind that at the end of the day we are all in this together and that it is ok to feel scared or sad. But counting your blessings and finding the positive things that might come out a situation like this is also important.