Social distancing: international students are half a world apart

The COVID-19 pandemic has been tough on all college students, but an added stressor for international students was the uncertainty whether traveling home during winter and summer breaks would be possible. 

International student Sakib Ekram, 23, a senior studying economics, is originally from Dhaka, Bangladesh. Because of the geographic distance, he only visits his family during the summer break. It has been almost two years since he has traveled back home. 

“Everyone was a little sad that I couldn’t go home since I only see them once a year,” Ekram said. 

There is no clear indication of when he will be able to return, but he keeps hopeful by staying in touch with his loved ones virtually.

“We Facetime and talk on the phone a lot, but I still miss home and am disappointed that I can’t be there,” Ekram said. 

Being away from his family has been difficult for Ekram, especially after learning that his father had contracted the COVID-19 virus. His father’s health became his sole focus.

“It felt wrong not being there for my family; it felt like I wasn’t fully aware of my dad’s health,” Ekram said. 

Along with the stress of being away from his loved ones during those uncertain times, Ekram also had to focus on finishing his last year at ASU, but the shift to online classes was difficult to manage at first. 

Just like many other students, he said he learned best when he could be in person asking his professors questions and having a controlled environment with less distractions. 

As an international student enrolled in at least nine credit hours in an interactive class setting via ASU Sync, Ekram met the international student visa requirement, while still attending classes safely. He graduated this summer.

“I feel like ASU supported international students by creating the Sync option. Without that I wouldn’t have been able to stay and continue taking classes,” Ekram said. 

International students at ASU can find resources and community at the International Student Engagement office.