Impacts of Covid 19 among international students at Delhi university India
Prepared by Providence Chabora
COVID-19 has been described as an ultimate disruptor, which has reshaped people’s lives, finances, as well as relationship dynamics. No one knows when will it end, who is affected or who is not. This great toll has also affected many international students especially those who were not able to go back to their countries due to various reasons. The social worker trainee Providence Chabora is a student from Zimbabwe who is doing her M.A. previous at Delhi University in India. She is currently working with a group of fifty students residing in the International Students House for Women (ISHW) in these difficult times.
COVID-19 has caused various impacts among international students ranging from economic, emotional, social, educational as well as educational. The first one week of lockdown was very difficult for the students, many changes in the menu and inability to go out frustrated the students so much. Currently it is very difficult for students to go out and seek medical services. the trainee has managed to research an online site Lybrate were students are able to access health services and three students have managed to access medical facilities through Lybrate. The only problem with online medical facilities is that students have to pay on their own which is becoming a financial burden.
In order to deal with stress caused by COVID-19, the trainee is working with various groups of girls in doing different activities such as picnics, sports, yoga and dancing. The hostel inmates make it a point to maintain social distance and sanitize their hands while doing these activities. Through participative observation and interaction with the hostel inmates, the trainee noted that these activities offer room for empathy, catharsis, sharing experiences and building trust. This in turn lessen the burden of COVID-19 among the hostel inmates.
In as much as the COVID 19 has brought much negative impact upon the hostel inmates, one can safely say it has brought the hostel inmates together. Even students who had disputes before have ironed out their issues and peace is now prevailing in the hostel, with the students having a common goal which is to endure with courage these hard times.
Though the future is uncertain the trainee strives to continue working with the hostel inmates, restoring hope, motivating each other and taking each day one step at a time.
Article by Providence Chabora
Studying M.A previous at Department of Social Work, Delhi University. India
