As I near the end of my 3rd fall semester at Virginia Wesleyan University, I am very anxious and excited for this up coming spring for my trip to The Netherlands where I will study at Radboud University.
On one hand, my anxiety comes from much of the paperwork that had to be filled out, especially figuring out what classes I will take at Radboud University. I am able to take at least three classes there, but I am hoping I can figure out around three more classes that I can use as backups if the classes fill up to fast. Alongside this, the almighty COVID-19 has brought concern for me. There is a personal concern where I will be unable to go to The Netherlands or end up stuck in The Netherlands do to lockdowns. There is an ethical concern as well. Even if COVID-19 begins to go down and we are able to go, many public health officials have reported this up and down cycle.
Therefore, the new variant, Omicron, has made this an even greater concern in regard to Covid-19 . A while back, The Netherlands had riots where a vaccination facility was burned down which raises concern to me if this was a small portion of the population or a majority of it. My greatest concern with COVID-19 is coming back to America. With the new variants, I fear that by going I will contract one of these variants and bring it back to America, especially since serious restrictions on international travel has been lifted.
On the other hand, I am still excited to be able to attend The Netherlands in the fall. With all of the classes that I still need to figure out, I still have three for sure classes that I would be able to take over there. With the classes that I would be able to take, it involves a lot of ecology classes which I have an honest passion for. I believe that it will be a fun experience learning about the native ecology in The Netherlands. In addition, with the potential of COVID-19 cancelling my trip in the spring, I feel at ease knowing that I can be enrolled into many of the classes that I need for the spring. There are some really great class opportunities here in the spring at Virginia Wesleyan which is a downside if I do go to The Netherlands. However, if all goes well then I would be going to The Netherlands. The last part of any ethical concern of bringing back COVID-19 will depend on me. I will commit to quarantining for 2 weeks after I comeback. I will be vaccinated as it is required for us to even go on the trip and I have already recieved my booster.
Regardless, if I am able to go or not, I think the experience of learning about The Netherlands and travelling abroad was an insightful one through the pre-departure course. In addition, knowing if I am unable to go, I can defer to my next semester the opportunity to go eases my mind as well. However, I am excited to go and can't wait to attend Radboud University in the spring and to learn a lot about the ecosystem there. I am also excited to get to go around The Netherlands and experience the culture. They are known to be one of the most vegan friendly places in the world and I personally can't wait to eat the yummy vegan foods that will be offered there. Alongside this, the rich history that exists there can offer some insight and experience to some very impactful things like the story of Anne Frank where a museum is dedicated to her. With all of the mixed feelings, I am truly happy to be given this opportunity to travel to The Netherlands where I will be able to enrich my personal knowledge and experience.
Comments