♦ Written by Natalie Kwon
⌨ Updated on April 19th, 2020
The world quickly shifted to combat the spread of the COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus. Two of our sophomore members who are Freeman Scholars, Kelli Chinen and Jay-Jay Bernardo, experienced unique international study situations thus far amidst the global health crisis.
Kelli Chinen, a Finance and International Business major, is currently studying abroad at the National University of Singapore (NUS). Since arriving in early January, Kelli’s study abroad experience has become quite unconventional: 4-person dorm lonely, canteen seats staggered, and city life on pause.
Schooling at NUS changed dramatically with the gradual spread of the disease. “In February, all classes above 50 were moved to e-learning...Then in March, classes above 25 students were moved online…eateries started implementing social distancing…Now in April, all eateries are [take-out] only,” she shares. This transition to an online-based learning affected Kelli both academically and socially, missing out on the opportunity to meet local Singaporeans in classes and spend time with her new friends from NUS, of which many returned to their home country.
According to Kelli, Singapore’s strategy to combat the disease is well planned thanks to the city-state’s strict government presence and previous experience with the SARS disease. Singapore created a live website to update residents daily on the locations and dates of each case discovered. This information could also be connected through messaging apps for frequent updates and tips on the spread of COVID-19. Kelli continues to study abroad in Singapore amidst the global health crisis, mostly sad that she’s unable to tour Asia with her friends from around the globe. However, she’s been making the most of her free time catching up on TV shows, sleeping in, and exercising regularly.
Jay-Jay Bernardo's international experience was cut extremely short, spending a total of 10 days in South Korea. He planned to study at Korea University Business School (KUBS), with candidacy for a degree in Human Resource Management, Marketing, and International Business.
Jay-Jay’s first impressions of COVID-19 were like any other: he saw it as no more than a small setback, delaying his schooling by two weeks. Unfortunately, he realized the gravity of the situation was much greater: “It was in South Korea where I first witnessed the ‘symptoms’ of COVID-19—not the symptoms of the physical body, but the symptoms that inflict a society...mega-screens showed coronavirus precautions instead of dazzling advertisements…popular tourist sites remained closed.” The sophomore found his Seoul experience much different than he expected: it was an example of government preparation and sacrifice in order to "flatten the curve." With live updates and information for the masses, South Korea took similar strategies to Singapore in order to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.
Jay-Jay’s short taste of South Korea was one of “culture-awe” instead of culture shock: “The strangers that still welcomed me warmly; the bustling city that still felt calm—all of these qualities caused me to admire Seoul in its entirety.” This newfound love for the country made flying home early both heartbreaking and disappointing. Spending the rest of his semester in Hilo, Jay-Jay remains positive: “I still consider myself lucky...I’m fortunate to still have a roof over my head, family members to see, food to eat, and a life that is safe and healthy.” He plans to study abroad again in South Korea in Fall 2021.
Despite unconventional road bumps in this Spring semester, the two BESTies are making the most out of this unprecedented time, eager to return to Oahu with newfound international perspectives this Fall semester for their fifth semester in BEST.
