International Students Spotlight: A Fall Semester During COVID-19
(Photo Courtesy of Gettysburg College)
By Shanzae Sarwar, Contributing Writer
(Photo courtesy of Shanzae Sarwar)
Name: Ana Vashakmadze
Class Year: Junior
Major: Music; Business Minor
Hometown: Tbilisi, Georgia
“Being at home for almost six months helped me to reconnect with my friends and family more strongly. Since being home, I have attended open-air concerts including classical music concerts as well as the concert of the Georgian National Ballet Ensemble called ‘Sukhishvili,’ which I haven’t seen since my childhood. I was completely blown away by their performance.”
(Photo courtesy of Shanzae Sarwar)
Name: Niko Chen
Class Year: Senior
Major: Mathematical Economics
Hometown: Beijing, China
“I am currently taking a gap year. This has given me a chance to take a break from college and explore my interests through internships.”
(Photo courtesy of Shanzae Sarwar)
Name: Hana Huskic
Class Year: Junior
Major: Anthropology
Hometown: Bosnia and Herzegovina
“I returned home in March. At the time, there weren’t a lot of opportunities available because of the lockdown in my city; however, this semester I was able to get a job in Sarajevo and I moved there shortly afterwards. My job has to do with online fieldwork and writing a publication of my findings on youth activism and their involvement in politics. This experience perfectly aligns with my Anthropology major and has been a great distraction from the political climate and uncertainties surrounding COVID-19.
(Photo courtesy of Shanzae Sarwar)
Name: Suzana Sarkar
Class Year: Senior
Major: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hometown: Kathmandu, Nepal
“I’ve been spending time with my family, cooking as well as learning how to bake, especially some new desserts inspired from my semester abroad in Denmark. I’ve also become more appreciative of nature – I started gardening and grew some plants as well as some fruits and vegetables. I also took this time to improve my coding skills by taking online classes.”
Name: Minh Nguyen
(Photo courtesy of Shanzae Sarwar)
Class Year: Senior
Major: Mathematics & Computer Science
Hometown: Hanoi, Vietnam
“Due to the current COVID-19 situation, it was really difficult for me to return to Gettysburg, so I decided to take a gap semester. By doing so, I get to reflect on the three years I spent in Gettysburg and plan my future after graduation. I also got more work experience and learnt things that I did not have time to do. I am currently interning as a Mobile Application Developer at AN VUI Technology JSC.”
(Photo courtesy of Shanzae Sarwar)
Name: Yihan Wu
Class Year: Junior
Major: Mathematical Economics
Hometown: Beijing, China
“I am taking classes from home this semester. I miss Gettysburg a lot, especially hanging out with my friends and eating at Blue & Grey. While being home, I got the chance to play in the Soccer League in Beijing and take part in the 10-day Ernst and Young Leadership Program.”
