International students return to Tallahassee – The Famuan

St. Maarten students attending FAMU, FSU, and TCC.
Photo kicks from the Sint Maarten-Tallahassee Student Association (SMTSA)

After a year of online lessons at home on Zoom, students from all over the world have returned to Tallahassee. Some said they were thrilled to be back on campus with their peers.

In the past school year, students had to get used to online learning and distance themselves from their classmates. Some said that digital learning has changed students’ expectations of their time at FAMU.

International students from the island of Sint Maarten said the absence of campus influenced their experience at FAMU and provided insights on how to use their personal experiences to the best of their ability.

Terrelle Thomas, a third year computer information systems graduate, moved from TCC to FAMU during the COVID pandemic. This is his first semester on campus.

“I’m very happy to be back at school,” said Thomas. “Although there were advantages to being online, I miss the sociability.”

Students said that they are happy to get out of their homes or bedrooms and get back into the classroom.

Kishana Arrindell, a third-year psychology student, was skeptical about returning to class in person, so she opted for partial online and face-to-face classes.

“I was afraid of having to return to class in person because the number of CPVOD cases in Florida has increased tremendously,” said Arrindell. “I don’t think we as a community were ready to open up face to face because there are so many cases and as it is increasing.”

Some students are even afraid of completely returning to face-to-face classes as they have already switched their study skills to online by the days they spend at home.

Sheldon Wilson, a fourth year physical therapist, is now in his senior year at FAMU. He spent his junior year in his home town of Sint Maarten and had to complete the fall semester at home, which initially had a negative effect on his grades.

“When we first had to go on Zoom, it was kind of a learning curve and understanding how we’re going to do things,” said Wilson. “Eventually it got better because the professors now had a strategy for teaching online, and eventually my grades got better. Now that we’re back in person, they have to readjust and find new strategies that will help us succeed. “

International students compared their experience of online learning to having to return now and study in person, and they still have mixed feelings about returning.

Some said they had difficulty getting back to their hometown during the pandemic and they made it anyway and made it, even though it may have been online.

Back on campus, these students said they will continue on their path to success and end their personal semester with dignity.

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