Janeth Carolina, an international student from Colombia who studies foundation program with the Grant holder of Azerbaijan Government Scholarship at Azerbaijan University of Languages, shares her main challenges about the COVID-19 and describes how quarantine period affects his student life.
1. When and how did you receive the news about coronavirus? What was your first reaction?
I heard about it on the news. In the beginning, I didn't think it would get so out of hand. I thought it would be more manageable than it has proven to be.
I heard about it on the news. In the beginning, I didn't think it would get so out of hand. I thought it would be more manageable than it has proven to be.
2. Was it your decision to stay in Azerbaijan during the pandemic time or it was too late you leave the country? (if yes, why?)
I decided to stay in Azerbaijan. I thought there was no escaping this virus and it would probably be worse back home since the population is way bigger. I was also confident that the government here would aid us if needed (since we are on a state-funded scholarship program).
I decided to stay in Azerbaijan. I thought there was no escaping this virus and it would probably be worse back home since the population is way bigger. I was also confident that the government here would aid us if needed (since we are on a state-funded scholarship program).
3. Your life in Azerbaijan during the pandemic.
My life has been pretty much staying at home, attending online classes and going out only to get groceries.
4. Does your university supply you with online classes? Do you attend the online classes? What are the advantages and disadvantages of online classes?
Yes, the university has provided online classes throughout the quarantine. They are quite easy to manage, I think since we are a small group.
The obvious advantage would be the time saved from not having to go to university. However, thinking about it in the case of this quarantine, online classes have proven to be a breath of fresh air for many students. Since it has given us a daily purpose when there is literally no escape from home. It has enabled us to keep in touch with classmates and teachers, which in turn provides us with a certain type of comfort that we are not alone and that things will go back to normal at some point.
Yes, the university has provided online classes throughout the quarantine. They are quite easy to manage, I think since we are a small group.
The obvious advantage would be the time saved from not having to go to university. However, thinking about it in the case of this quarantine, online classes have proven to be a breath of fresh air for many students. Since it has given us a daily purpose when there is literally no escape from home. It has enabled us to keep in touch with classmates and teachers, which in turn provides us with a certain type of comfort that we are not alone and that things will go back to normal at some point.
I am a firm believer in face to face education. I think that online classes are not for everybody and that most students cannot get any meaningful learning from them. Since now all of us take the lessons from our homes, it is easier to find distractions, to feel less energy and to not focus very well during lessons.
We need to be disciplined and focused when we are taking these online classes. Unfortunately, this is not easy to do.
In this type of education, it is also hard to carry out debates and discussions (especially when you have a large group). Another issue is that we are totally dependent on the internet connection, which is not always good.
We need to be disciplined and focused when we are taking these online classes. Unfortunately, this is not easy to do.
In this type of education, it is also hard to carry out debates and discussions (especially when you have a large group). Another issue is that we are totally dependent on the internet connection, which is not always good.
5. Coronavirus: the pros and cons of keeping universities closed. The pros of keeping universities closed.
As I stated in my previous answer, I do not think most people get meaningful learning from online classes, since the environment does not cooperate to keep the mind focused on studying. Students would benefit from the opening of the universities. They will be able to cramp up some review time and finish their exams.
However, the current situation will not allow us to do this in the near future. If we take the example of France, which opened their schools last week, we can see that this will inevitably lead to new cases of the virus. It would be practically impossible for the social distance in the universities and even in the metro and buses. I think a lot of the progress we see with the virus now, which was gained with the quarantine, could be undone if the government opens the schools too soon.
As I stated in my previous answer, I do not think most people get meaningful learning from online classes, since the environment does not cooperate to keep the mind focused on studying. Students would benefit from the opening of the universities. They will be able to cramp up some review time and finish their exams.
However, the current situation will not allow us to do this in the near future. If we take the example of France, which opened their schools last week, we can see that this will inevitably lead to new cases of the virus. It would be practically impossible for the social distance in the universities and even in the metro and buses. I think a lot of the progress we see with the virus now, which was gained with the quarantine, could be undone if the government opens the schools too soon.
6. How do you spend your time now? Has anything changed in your daily routine? Hobbies before and during COVID-19
I mostly spend my time attending the online classes, reading, watching movies and talking to my family and friends on the phone. The most significant change in my routine is that I am not walking or exercising too much and that I am talking to my friends more.
I mostly spend my time attending the online classes, reading, watching movies and talking to my family and friends on the phone. The most significant change in my routine is that I am not walking or exercising too much and that I am talking to my friends more.
7. Did you try to learn something new or discover your new skills during a lockdown? (yoga, studying new languages...)
Not necessarily new hobbies, but I have returned to meditating almost daily (which I hadn’t done for quite a while), and I have tried to practice my Portuguese more.
Not necessarily new hobbies, but I have returned to meditating almost daily (which I hadn’t done for quite a while), and I have tried to practice my Portuguese more.
8. What lesson have you learned from this pandemic? Please express the advantages and disadvantages of this situation
The only advantage I can think of is that we have more time for self-reflection now, which is not necessarily good for everyone. We have more time to invest in our hobbies too.
However, I do not think this compensates for all the issues that have come from this pandemic. Just to give a few examples: all the livelihoods that have been utterly destroyed, all the countries which economies have fallen drastically, all the people that got stuck in some foreign country and unable to get home. Not to mention all the distrust and fear this virus has caused. All the mental health issues that will be derived from all of the above. I mean, I am also quite worried about the repercussions it will have for many years to come.
The only advantage I can think of is that we have more time for self-reflection now, which is not necessarily good for everyone. We have more time to invest in our hobbies too.
However, I do not think this compensates for all the issues that have come from this pandemic. Just to give a few examples: all the livelihoods that have been utterly destroyed, all the countries which economies have fallen drastically, all the people that got stuck in some foreign country and unable to get home. Not to mention all the distrust and fear this virus has caused. All the mental health issues that will be derived from all of the above. I mean, I am also quite worried about the repercussions it will have for many years to come.
9. Comparison of the lockdown in home and host countries.
I am from Colombia, in South America. The population in Colombia is five times the population in Azerbaijan, so obviously we have more cases of the virus. However, I think both governments have taken very similar precautions to try to slow the spread of the virus. I would say currently, the situation is quite similar in both places.
I am from Colombia, in South America. The population in Colombia is five times the population in Azerbaijan, so obviously we have more cases of the virus. However, I think both governments have taken very similar precautions to try to slow the spread of the virus. I would say currently, the situation is quite similar in both places.
10. Your communication circle during the quarantine.
I talk to my classmates and teachers every day, as well as my mother. And I keep in touch frequently with friends and my sister and father.
I talk to my classmates and teachers every day, as well as my mother. And I keep in touch frequently with friends and my sister and father.
