2020 has been a quite an odd year for me and a lot uncertainty as to when I am able to return to Canada. As COVID19 cases continue to increase in Canada, I have to learn how to adjust to a new lifestyle while living abroad in Vietnam. I want to discuss on how I adjust with can uncertainty and accept making new adjustment while living abroad.
Every country handles coronavirus differently whether they have it under control or out of control. Currently, I am a 3rd year Digital Communication student and studying internationally as I pursue my studies online while living in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The pandemic that affected globally around the world had also changes the way how people function in society. Without a doubt, the pandemic has affected people lifestyle, work, school and how people have to interact with others. With my living situation in Vietnam, I am very fortunate with how their government was able to contain COVID-19 for business to resume normally. I feel safe living in Vietnam because I am able to be given the opportunity to work full time and have a flexible schedule to do my school work online in the comfort of my own home. Vietnam still takes care of their citizen very carefully and wearing mask is still common to help avoid possible transmission of diseases. When Covid-19 hit, Vietnam was very well prepared and the fact that everyone cares about the importance of wearing a mask makes it less worrisome.
Personally, for me, it has been at peace living in Vietnam during these difficult times while I have to adapt to my new work and school lifestyle with online classes abroad. If I were living in quarantine right now in Canada with countless restrictions and strict COVID rules, it would have definitely affected my mental health. Sometimes it is difficult for me to adjust with online classes due to several reasons like time differences in Vietnam and Canada but as I gradually become used to online platform, I can say that I am comfortable with online learning. However, after staying in Vietnam in the past 5 months, I missed being able to study abroad and living in Canada. It unfortunate for me that I am unable to see my friends in-person but my only way to stay connected with my friends living abroad in Canada is staying connected with them through social media. With experience doing online classes, it definitely isn’t the same and can never be an alternative to the traditional offline way. As much as I want to return to Canada, I will have to wait a little longer until Canada ease their travel restriction until it is safe for me to return back to studying abroad.
“I hope the pandemic will be over soon so I can safely return to Canada again! I have enough of online classes and desperately want to pursue my dreams to living abroad in Canada :(.”
Keyword: coronavirus, COVI19, online-classes, international student, Vietnam, studying abroad
