On Monday, March 16, students received an email notifying them that, save for extenuating circumstances, they were being asked to leave campus and return to their primary residence by Wednesday, March 18 due to recommendations regarding COVID-19. While this short notice could be stressful for any student remaining on campus, international students remaining on campus only had two days to figure out if they wanted to stay or go home. Here’s a look at what a few international students decided.
Sarah Rivera Rios
First-year Sarah Rivera Rios, a business administration and marketing double major. Photo courtesy of Sarah Rivera Rios.
While freshman Sarah Rivera Rios, a business administration and marketing double major, initially planned to go to her home in Comayagua, Honduras, she was unable to do so because of the borders of the country were closed. Instead, she is now staying with family in Delaware.
“My decision of leaving was made by my mom since she was aware of everything that was going on in Ohio,” Rivera Rios said. “I was originally heading back home, but the current situation in the airports wouldn’t let me move.”
She left Wednesday, March 18. Because Rivera Rios doesn’t have a car, her uncle drove almost eight and a half hours from Delaware, and the two of them drove back together.
“It was quite a long journey, but thank goodness we were able to make it,” Rivera Rios said.
She said she feels like this situation is especially difficult being so far away from home, and particularly so far away from her immediate family. She noted that while she felt safe at Bluffton, she was worried about those at home because of the medical care system.
“As humans, we feel safe and protected when we are with our family, or when we are where we were raised,” Rivera Rios said. “Technology has given me the opportunity to easily communicate with my family in Honduras, but I’m still afraid that something may happen and I could not be there.”
In Honduras, Rivera Rios said schools and small businesses are shut down, and supermarkets are only open once a week. Her siblings have been using Zoom for classes as well.
Rivera Rios plans to stay in Delaware until she’s able to return home.
“I hope I can go back home in a couple months, but things are very uncertain right now,” Rivera Rios said. “I just hope that this ends soon so we can all follow what we had planned.”
Flor Avilez Escoto
Flor Avilez Escoto, a sophomore criminal justice major and political science minor. Photo courtesy of Flor Avilez Escoto.
Flor Avilez Escoto, a sophomore criminal justice major and political science minor, had already decided to go back to her home in Honduras before the request came for students to leave campus. She left on Friday, March 13.
“It was a stressful process because everything happened so fast, and I had to look for a ticket and pack my things without any help before Thursday,” Avilez Escoto said.
Avilez Escoto said the decision to return home was made after talking to her parents.
“I had asthma problems, so my parents were really worried about me being so far,” Avilez Escoto said. “Also, another concern they had was that the president was going to close the borders of my country, and I wasn’t going to be able to come back.”
In Honduras, everyone is currently in quarantine, according to Avilez Escoto. Schools are shut down, business and restaurants are closed and the borders are closed for everyone. They are only allowed to go out to get food or go to the hospital.
Avilez Escoto said being away from home was hard for her because of how worried her mom was, and being at home has been easier. While she prefers in-person classes, she has internet access to complete her homework at home.
“I talked with my professors about my situation and they were very understanding,” Avilez Escoto said. “Whenever I need help they are always willing to help me. They have supported me a lot, and I am thankful for that.”
Therisanyo Phetlhu
Therisanyo Phetlhu, a sophomore economics and marketing double major. Photo courtesy of Therisanyo Phetlhu.
Therisanyo Phetlhu, a sophomore economics and marketing double major, who is currently living with her mom off-campus and doesn’t plan to return to Botswana. Phetlhu said her home country of Botswana currently has no cases of COVID-19, so those coming from countries with COVID-19 cases, including the United States, are not allowed entry.
Phelthu said Botswana residents returning from these countries would be subjected to a 14-day mandatory quarantine. Her decision to stay was influenced by the distance she would have to travel to get home.
“The air travel distance I would have to go to get home is equal to 8,779 miles, which means it is not safe to travel,” Phetlhu said. “Also, the press release made by the Botswana government said we would have to be quarantined which would also be frustrating. Traveling seems like the last resort, planes and airports are not safe.”
While Phelthu said the situation is frustrating, she’s glad she has her mother with her during this time.
“I am grateful that I have my mother around which is something other international students do not have, and I cannot imagine how they must be feeling,” Phelthu said.
