March 19, 2020

Did you change your spring break plans because of the virus? From what to what?

I was going to go on an SBE (Service Break Experience) to San Francisco, but two weeks before we were supposed to head out, my group was notified that the University had suspended “all University-sponsored travel to states who have declared a state of emergency.” Many of my friends who live in Austin generously offered me their homes to stay at over the break, but fortunately I was able to arrange a flight back to Virginia, where I’m from, so I could spend the break with my family.

How did you feel when you were informed the remainder of the semester would be held online?

At first, I didn’t feel too strongly about it. Honestly, I was expecting it. But as it sank in over a few hours, I felt (and continue to feel) absolutely devastated. I have friends who are transferring to other universities after this semester, and now I don’t know how long it will be until I see them in person again… Added onto that is the stress of now having to figure out how I can get down to Austin to move out of my dorm- if I can at all.

Where will you be living while courses are held online? Is this a change from usual?

I’ll be in Northern Virginia with my family. I’d say this is usual – most of my life has been spent in NOVA- but it really isn’t my ‘normal’ anymore. Austin has quickly become my home, and I’m missing it more than I could have ever imagined.

What has been your experience with moving classes online? What’s good? What’s not so good?

The good: at least we can continue our classes through the rest of the semester. The bad: none of my professors are doing things the same way- I have to learn different programs and systems for each and every one of my classes (again).

How worried are you about getting the virus?

I’m not super worried. I know that I’m doing what I can to prevent myself from getting the virus – I’m more concerned about carrying it (while experiencing no symptoms) and infecting other people.

Do you know anyone who has gotten COVID-19?

Fortunately, no, I do not. But who knows how long I’ll be able to say that for.

Are you staying in? What are you doing to pass the time?

I’m just monitoring my emails, working on a few (overdue) assignments, listening to music, and watching videos online. The only real highlight of my day is when the group chat with all my friends in it gets active, which is the afternoon… I’ve suddenly got way too much time on my hands, and I’ve got no idea what to do with it.

Is there anything else you’d like to tell us about what you’re feeling or experiencing right now?

I feel like I’m living in between extremes. My friends are extremely optimistic- they thought we’d be seeing each other again in April (and they think this will all blow over pretty soon), while my family in Virginia is extremely pessimistic. My dad keeps talking about our family needing to be ready to defend ourselves or needing to hideout somewhere – because society is going to “fall apart”. I’m an optimistic realist, myself, and neither of these perspectives are where I’m at, but nonetheless they’re getting crammed down my throat wherever I turn. I feel like I can’t be more realistic with my friends (hope/ optimism isn’t a bad thing to have, you know?) and I can’t be more optimistic around my family (I don’t want to get lectured about how human civility only lasts for 48-72 hours after food sources disappear… Again).

Yes, this is going to change our lives for a good while, but society isn’t just go to fall apart at the seams because of that, right?? If Italy hasn’t completely fallen to pieces, why would we? Right?