Studying abroad can be a time of great transition and growth, perhaps all the more so when plans are interrupted. For one student, focusing on recording the details of her COVID-19 experiences has become a way to not only document this time for herself, but also to connect with and encourage others. Tracey Lan, a Global China Studies sophomore from NYU Shanghai planning to minor in Business and Social Science, is studying away in NYU Washington, DC this semester. She returned home to China because of the COVID-19 pandemic and has been vlogging (video blogging) about her departure from DC, quarantine,and her mental health.
Tracey initially chose to study in Washington DC “for all its wonderful museums, its cherry blossoms, its livable environment (which is all shown in my NYU DC vlogs!).” She was also keen to learn more about American politics in the nation’s capital, to explore career interests through the internship program, and to learn to lead through the Global Leadership Program.
Tracey started vlogging last year in NYU Shanghai to record her experiences. “I wanted to vlog so that I can always go back to those days in the future, even when I am very very old — I love the idea of nostalgia,” says Tracey. The positive feedback and comments from friends and followers further inspired her to develop content that may be encouraging or informative for others, she adds. For her COVID-19 vlogs specifically, Tracey says she had a “sense of a mission to communicate” because she noticed a great deal of misunderstanding and a lack of information about what was happening in China. She wanted to show “the real life of a Chinese student impacted by COVID-19 in order to have a better sense of China during the pandemic,” and says she hopes that her vlogs will “inform, inspire people, and cheer them up.”
Tracey also feels as though she has been relatively fortunate. Despite a turbulent journey home, she believes she missed the worst of the pandemic in both China and in the US. Tracey also said she feels very fortunate for the support she received from NYU Washington, DC. Tracey’s time in mandatory quarantine was especially brightened when she received the news that she was a recipient of the Catherine B. Reynolds Foundation Fellowship.
These experiences have strengthened Tracey’s belief that everyone has the right to global education. Reflecting on what people think and say about COVID-19 pandemic which she has experienced in both the Chinese and US settings, Tracey has a sense of purpose. She wishes to engage actively in global education in the COVID-19 situation, that enlightens people to pursue knowledge and approach global issues from a less self-centered, more respectful and sympathetic perspective.
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