This piece is part of a series where we interview students about their quarantine experiences and concerns.
Sophia Hua came to Stevens from Houston, Texas. Currently, she is quarantining in Hoboken with her boyfriend and is sharing her experience about what it’s like being so far away from home.
Audrey Dsouza: Please introduce yourself for those who don’t know you!
Sophia Hua: I am a 4/4 Chemical engineering major. After the end of my undergraduate, I have plans on continuing with my master’s in Chemical engineering as well.
AD: How has your life changed due to COVID-19?
SH: Apart from the obvious (i.e. I haven’t left home, I miss the sun, I’ve only had contact with one person for the past month), I’ve had to re-think a lot of my plans with a lot more uncertainty. I’m usually a person that likes to know what’s coming next. For example, prior to March, my thought process was spring break, Senior D Expo, and then summer with an internship (hopefully). Now it’s a lot of playing it by ear, as much as possible. However, I have to take all the news with a grain of salt because things change every day and it’s just about adapting to it and making sure I have things to look forward to.
AD: How do you stay connected with family and friends, being so far apart?
SH: I text and call as much as possible. I’m grateful that some of the organizations and groups I connected with on-campus have made multiple efforts to keep in touch. My family especially calls a lot, I’ve even received calls from relatives that I haven’t talked to in a long time.
AD: How do you feel about graduating?
SH: I think the rest of the senior class can agree with me, but coping with the abrupt end to our senior year sucks. I know people have it a lot worse, and quarantine was necessary. There are a lot of people moving away for jobs and it’s like cutting a friendship built during these last four years short. We didn’t get to say goodbye, have a last hoorah, and get the closure we needed to really transition into adulthood.
Another concern I have is with the shutting down of businesses, the Class of 2020 has just been launched into one of the worst economies ever. Job searching is definitely a huge concern. Especially with my major and background, it’s hard to do research without being there physically, and even processes and manufacturing is hard to just do and learn remotely.
Even though it may seem like it’s easier to do school work at home, the environment is totally different. A lot of problems (mental, financial, physical, etc.) are also rising from this and all the administration is seeing is the possibility of people googling the answers. I think they have to realize that after a certain point in our education, there’s nothing online. I’m currently taking grad classes and the only thing getting me through is just focusing and a lot of reading and it’s pretty frequently disrupted by just everything. I think every student needs the most help possible right now.
AD: Do you have any concerns caused by COVID-19 that you want to share with other students who may be feeling similarly?
SH: Well, I have a few concerns and mentioned some before. The rise of racism and xenophobia has made me even more anxious to go outside. It’s not just about warding off disease now. I have to look over my shoulder all the time just to get groceries because I feel like I can’t be too careful. I see on the news, all these innocent Asian citizens just minding their own business when all of a sudden they’re targets and that’s one of my worst fears.
Fortunately, I haven’t been attacked due to COVID-19. However, it’s pretty frightening to see how the media and figures of authority can change the perspective of a group. The kid I was babysitting told me how he thought COVID-19 started because people in China ate bats. I see this theory a lot in media, and that’s all it is: a theory. Every day, there more and more theories on how this all started come about. Anyways, it kind of took me aback how a ten-year-old already has this idea in this head. I just think the media has a lot to blame for the rise of racism against Asians, because Asians now, especially Chinese people, are painted as bat-eaters.
AD: Is there anything else you want others (students, faculty, staff) to know?
SH: It’s encouraging to see the Asian community come together, be able to speak up about current events, and host talks like the one led by the Diversity & Inclusion center. However, I hope this isn’t a topic that is just swept under the rug after the fact, and that discussion about it continues to further spread awareness and inclusion.
With the announcement of the possibility of graduation in the Fall, I’m pretty excited and I hope to be able to see everyone again. I hope that people who moved will be able to come back for a bit of time so we can all celebrate properly and not over Zoom.
Biggest thanks to Sophia for being willing to be interviewed! If you also have a story or experience to share, please email me at adsouza@stevens.edu.
Be First to Comment