Mohammadreza Navab Motlagh Amir, an international student from Iran who studies foundation program at Baku Music Academy named after Uzeyir Hajibayli, shares his 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 learned about the coronavirus from the news, I did not worry so much, and I didn't think that it would be such a big problem.
2. Was it your decision to stay in Azerbaijan during pandemic time or it was too late to leave the country? (If yes, why?)
It was my own decision to stay in Azerbaijan to be able to continue my lessons. I even had a chance to go back to my country during a pandemic, but I decided to stay and keep studying.
3. Your life in Azerbaijan during the pandemic.
Of course, life got harder everywhere in the world during the pandemic, and there was no difference. But I think the government of Azerbaijan handled the problem well. And the most important thing was that I felt safe because both government and the people of Azerbaijan tried to fight this virus by keeping the streets and public places solitude. I stayed at home most of this time and had my online lessons and once in a while, I went shopping by getting permission.
4. Does your university supply you with online classes? Do you attend the online classes? What are advantages and disadvantages of online classes
Yes, I had online classes during this time. Of course, normal classes are much better than online, especially for the fortepiano lessons. But it was really good that I still had the opportunity to work on my lessons with online classes. It's better to have online classes than no classes at all. And the teachers of Academy acted very responsibly at this time and that was a real satisfaction.
5. Coronavirus: the pros and cons of keeping universities closed.
I think that whenever the government feels that it is safe to open universities they should be opened because it would help the morale of the students but only in the case of completely safe and under control.
6. How do you spend your time now? Has anything changed in your daily routine? Hobbies before and during COVID-19
Of course, my daily routine changed during the quarantine. I still do my practices and study, but I don't go out as I used to do. I started to read more books and be more active in social media, and my sleep routine also changed in a period, but I fixed it again.
7. Did you try to learn something new or discover your new skills during lockdown? (yoga, studying new languages...)
I tried to work on my Russian language, but then I got busy with online classes.
8. What lesson have you learned from this pandemic?
Please express Advantages and disadvantages of this situation
During this time, I've learned that how social creatures we are and how we are helpless without each other and how we need and affect each other. Besides, we should love and help each other more and be kind to each other and value the moment that we are together. I've learned that it doesn't matter that what is our color or country or anything else, we are all humans and we should act kinder and help each other.
9. Comparison of the lockdown in home and host countries.
In a simple comparison between my home and host countries at this time, my home country has much more population than Azerbaijan so it was really harder to control the situation there as Iran is a much bigger and more populated country. The most important thing was that most of the people in both countries tried to stay at home and be careful and I think that's the biggest help. Also, doctors and nurses of both countries risked their lives to fight the virus and it was a very brave and beautiful action of them.
10. Your communication circle during the quarantine.
My communication circle during the quarantine was online communication with my teachers here, my friends, and my family in Iran. And 2 or 3 of my friends are here too.