Perspectives of international exchange students during a global pandemic
By Katie Berger
About 80 exchange students from 12 countries enrolled at the Sciences Po Reims campus this semester, January to May 2021. Only here’s the catch; they can’t study in the classrooms of the university. They are doing school entirely online.
Most chose to move to Reims, though they didn’t have to. Why? They were all ready for a change after the pandemic derailed their college experiences almost a year ago. For most, this was their last and only opportunity to study abroad.
Camila Arleo is an exchange student from Argentina, who hasn’t come to Reims and is following all classes online from home. In her university, students can only leave for exchange programs during their third year second semester, or fourth year first semester. “It’s not like I could defer it, so I figured ‘I’m gonna do it online.” Valeria Sosa from Mexico had planned her exchange for the previous semester, but because of the COVID situation she couldn’t come. “I had to decide whether to do it this semester, or not do it at all, because I’m about to graduate,” she said.
Rugile Katinate from Lithuania has followed all her classes so far from her nine-square-meter room in a Reims student residence. “It’s a little sad because after we finish our exchange program, the Sciences Po campus won’t be like a second home for us; we will only be able to count on two hands the number of times we’ve been there.”
A few close friends
“I definitely think we’re missing out on a bunch of social activities, getting to know more people, and being able to travel,” exclaims Aaron Gonzales, a senior from Germany. “I feel like something’s been stolen from me,” says Valeria. “I cannot change the situation, but I can make the most of it.”
Despite their disappointment, most students have also had great times, making new friends from all over the world - mainly other exchange students - but wish there were more. “Meeting all you beautiful people is the closest thing that mimics normal life,” said Katinate.
None have met French students so far. “Most of [them] know each other, because they are former classmates. But because we are exchange students, nobody knows us,” said Sosa. “We are never out of our rooms, so there is no meeting place for us to just hang out and talk. I think Crous could do something about that.”
“I live in a student residence, but I can’t really initiate socializing, because I can’t even bring people to my own place. I’ve already tried once and I got a warning,” said Gonzales. “And if you want to do anything past 6 p.m., you have to stay the night.”
“Zoom University”
“Zoom University,” as students have dubbed it, is undoubtedly affecting exchange students’ academic experience too. Katinate enjoys her courses, but misses face-to-face communication, especially with professors. Students can’t form relationships with them like in a normal class- there are no office hours, no staying back to ask questions. “You can virtually raise your hand on Zoom, but you miss out on building rapport like in a lecture hall,” Katinate said.
One of her professors now skips question and answer sessions altogether, because he “can’t point at someone and make eye contact” like in a regular class. “I miss that fear of having to know the answer,” she said.
New schedules
However, Blake says the curfew has made him more productive and disciplined; being stuck inside after 6 p.m. has restructured his schedule so he does errands that require being outside early in the day, then finishes his schoolwork in the afternoon. He also wakes up earlier to take advantage of more daylight hours. Sosa agrees about doing non-academic activities during the day and leaving homework for the evening.
“We used to associate our houses with rest, with eating, with family,” says Sosa. “Now, we associate them with studying, projects, and stress. Mixing that into your home isn’t working for all of us.”
Mental health varies; Katinate and Gonzales said being on exchange has improved their mental health, giving them a breath of fresh air from doing online schooling in their own hometowns. Others, like Sosa, say the isolation is taking a toll, with only school to focus on and limited opportunities to get face-to-face interaction.
Sciences Po help
Anne-Charlotte Amaury, Student Life Advisor at Sciences Po, said school-sponsored resources to help integrate students include “coffee breaks with a student life advisor, to grasp the overall feeling of the student cohort,” and a Google form for isolated students to fill out should they want someone from the administration to reach out.
Amaury also works with student associations to plan COVID-compliant virtual activities, some of which include speed dating, debates, and even dance parties. The Bureau des Arts Campus de Reims student association has been tasked with bringing arts and culture to enrich student life on campus. The organization sent out a dance music mashup last semester, and members danced outside in groups.
Katinate regrets “we are not very informed about these organizations.” She and other students don’t know how to join them, where to find out about them, how to contact them, or even what is on offer. “I get all of Anne-Charlotte’s emails, but I don’t know what any of them mean.”
She also finds it hard to get in touch with advisors to answer her questions quickly, usually posing questions to full-time Sciences Po students first before resorting to emailing an advisor.
Satisfied with their decision
But despite their challenges, every student interviewed said they wouldn’t change a thing. They would choose the 2021 Sciences Po exchange program all over again.
“I don’t think I would’ve done anything different,” said Arleo. “Had I had the chance to go in a non-COVID world, sure. But so many negative things happened with the pandemic, so this is nothing in comparison to all that suffering.”
“We will always have these memories, remembering the people we studied with when we were younger, and all the experiences we are getting together,” said Valeria. “You feel loved and supported, and that’s really important when you’re not in your own country. I would do it all over again.”
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