Exchange Students’ Lives in 2020
By Joy Wang
Students’ lives in the U.S., without language barriers and tight restrictions, were more active than those in Germany, and Saint Louis University took measures to eliminate potential sources of infection, installing hand sanitizers on campus, sanitizing public facilities regularly, and setting up desk partitions in student restaurants. Students could still go to the university for certain classes and maintain their social lives as long as they maintain the required social distance.
Dino shared an anecdote of helping two friends assemble a bed frame at their dormitory, and one of them tested positive for Covid-19 a few days later. Dino had to take Covid-19 quick testing as scheduled, and he was nervous about the result during the fifteen-minute wait. He was negative, and he claimed jokingly that Taiwanese had been “Covid-proof.” “I was being careful in the first few weeks like I must get a shower after going outside,” he said, “but now I go to a party without wearing a mask.”
Evan went on an exchange to Benedictine University and was not as lucky as Dino. In the first month of the new semester, the university announced Covid-positive cases of students living in school dormitories, and the numbers kept increasing. “The number grew so rapidly that it would be weird if you hadn’t got Covid,” said Evan. To stop the spread, the university changed its policies. Unlike classes at Saint Louis University, students had to do online schooling, and all students, except for international students, were asked to move back home before 11/24. It effectively reduced Covid-19 cases.
“I would wash my hands and sanitize the doorknob when I got back home,” Evan shared her tips on protecting herself from Covid-19. She was careful in using public spaces like the kitchen, front door, and living room. People around her did not pay much attention to those details, which had much to do with their attitudes toward Covid-19. “Students mostly have mild symptoms, and also the U.S. government does not announce concerning information as frequently as Taiwan’s does,” said Evan, “so people are not sensitive to its severity.”
What were the things that you worried about the most before getting to your host country?
“I was worried about Covid-19, and racism against Asians,” said Dino, “and another thing I would like to add -- the high murder rate in St. Louis.” He discovered that St. Louis had the highest murder rate among cities in the U.S., and the pandemic, racism, and murder rate had him worried before he got on the airplane. “I considered canceling the trip even on the day before the flight, but my family has been supportive.” He found these worries in vain afterward.
David shared similar worries, and he encountered a setback when forming small groups with classmates. One student argued with the teacher about the group selection obstinately. “I was not sure if he was complaining about me in German,” said David, “but I can sense the hostility.” As for Covid-19, he prepared boxes of face masks, goggles, and other basic supplies, so he was optimistic about his life in Germany.
Evan’s father worried more than she did. She should have boarded the flight on 8/14, but a week previous was Father’s Day. On the night before Father’s Day, her father told her that he did not want her to go abroad. It was too risky, and he was afraid that he could not see his daughter again. She had everything all packed, and it was too hard to cancel. Their Father’s Day was thus ruined. “It was the worst Father’s Day ever,” Evan’s mother related her father’s words.
Would you recommend these exchange programs at this time?
David had planned to get double bachelor’s degrees since the day he got into Fu Jen, so he wanted to go with his plan no matter what. His advice for those who also planned for exchange programs was that they must be prepared for the worst situation. Everything was uncertain, and no one could foretell when life would return to normal.
“Personally, the exchange experience is worthwhile,” said Dino, “because I have a special opportunity to see how people in another country handle the pandemic.” One of the core meanings of being an international student was to experience another kind of lifestyle, which took on special meaning in 2020. “If you are seeking language exchange or a social life, you have to consider carefully because it would be too expensive for just that.”
Evan gave similar advice. “If you don’t have a strong heart to attend parties, you will meet few friends,” said Evan about the enforced online learning. Students would hold parties in the dormitory, and she saw people eating snacks with their hands unsanitized and using the same weed bong. “No wonder Covid-19 spreads so quickly.”
Dino shared an anecdote of helping two friends assemble a bed frame at their dormitory, and one of them tested positive for Covid-19 a few days later. Dino had to take Covid-19 quick testing as scheduled, and he was nervous about the result during the fifteen-minute wait. He was negative, and he claimed jokingly that Taiwanese had been “Covid-proof.” “I was being careful in the first few weeks like I must get a shower after going outside,” he said, “but now I go to a party without wearing a mask.”
Evan went on an exchange to Benedictine University and was not as lucky as Dino. In the first month of the new semester, the university announced Covid-positive cases of students living in school dormitories, and the numbers kept increasing. “The number grew so rapidly that it would be weird if you hadn’t got Covid,” said Evan. To stop the spread, the university changed its policies. Unlike classes at Saint Louis University, students had to do online schooling, and all students, except for international students, were asked to move back home before 11/24. It effectively reduced Covid-19 cases.
“I would wash my hands and sanitize the doorknob when I got back home,” Evan shared her tips on protecting herself from Covid-19. She was careful in using public spaces like the kitchen, front door, and living room. People around her did not pay much attention to those details, which had much to do with their attitudes toward Covid-19. “Students mostly have mild symptoms, and also the U.S. government does not announce concerning information as frequently as Taiwan’s does,” said Evan, “so people are not sensitive to its severity.”
What were the things that you worried about the most before getting to your host country?
“I was worried about Covid-19, and racism against Asians,” said Dino, “and another thing I would like to add -- the high murder rate in St. Louis.” He discovered that St. Louis had the highest murder rate among cities in the U.S., and the pandemic, racism, and murder rate had him worried before he got on the airplane. “I considered canceling the trip even on the day before the flight, but my family has been supportive.” He found these worries in vain afterward.
David shared similar worries, and he encountered a setback when forming small groups with classmates. One student argued with the teacher about the group selection obstinately. “I was not sure if he was complaining about me in German,” said David, “but I can sense the hostility.” As for Covid-19, he prepared boxes of face masks, goggles, and other basic supplies, so he was optimistic about his life in Germany.
Evan’s father worried more than she did. She should have boarded the flight on 8/14, but a week previous was Father’s Day. On the night before Father’s Day, her father told her that he did not want her to go abroad. It was too risky, and he was afraid that he could not see his daughter again. She had everything all packed, and it was too hard to cancel. Their Father’s Day was thus ruined. “It was the worst Father’s Day ever,” Evan’s mother related her father’s words.
Would you recommend these exchange programs at this time?
David had planned to get double bachelor’s degrees since the day he got into Fu Jen, so he wanted to go with his plan no matter what. His advice for those who also planned for exchange programs was that they must be prepared for the worst situation. Everything was uncertain, and no one could foretell when life would return to normal.
“Personally, the exchange experience is worthwhile,” said Dino, “because I have a special opportunity to see how people in another country handle the pandemic.” One of the core meanings of being an international student was to experience another kind of lifestyle, which took on special meaning in 2020. “If you are seeking language exchange or a social life, you have to consider carefully because it would be too expensive for just that.”
Evan gave similar advice. “If you don’t have a strong heart to attend parties, you will meet few friends,” said Evan about the enforced online learning. Students would hold parties in the dormitory, and she saw people eating snacks with their hands unsanitized and using the same weed bong. “No wonder Covid-19 spreads so quickly.”