International students on campus and in area stay busy, upbeat

Some international students who remain on campus during the COVID-19 pandemic find routine, humor and family connections help to lighten their days.

The Padnos International Center reported about 275 international students remain on campus or in West Michigan. Several students reflected on their families and how they stay busy and upbeat; their stories are below.

Vimbainashe Kuzanga is a junior from Zimbabwe who is majoring in radiation therapy. 

Like other health professions students, Kuzanga was at a clinical rotation at Spectrum Health's Lemmen-Holton Cancer Pavilion when she received news that all clinical assignments were suspended.

"We didn't know how serious the situation was, it was a rush to get all our stuff in," Kuzanga said. "It was stressful, especially knowing this could possibly extend into the spring/summer semester. We'll be a step behind."

Kuzanga chose radiation therapy for a personal reason. Her grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer and had to travel from Zimbabwe to South Africa for treatment. "When you are in such a vulnerable state, you shouldn't have to travel away from your family," she said.

There is a shelter-in-place order at Kuzanga's hometown, yet she worries about her father who is a physician. 

"It's quite terrifying to think about. I hope it doesn't get to my mom, if anything happens to my mom, I have to go back home. My dad said she's the foundation of my family," Kuzanga said.

Kuzanga offered tips to other students who are home, regardless where that is: "Come up with a new hobby. Read books you haven't gotten to on your list, start a show. Keep yourself occupied, but remember you're here for school."

Jowei Yek is a senior from Malaysia who is majoring in advertising and public relations. Yek said it's a sad and strange time to be a senior who will graduate from Grand Valley in April.

"It's disappointing, I had a lot of things going on," Yek said. 

He had spearheaded a campus event for months involving the student organization Bringing the World Together that was canceled, and he had applied to be a graduation speaker and sent in a video application. Yet through the disappointment, Yek said he finds good fortune.

"I know there are people out there suffering more. I'm considering myself really lucky; I have a place to live, I'm clothed and have food to eat," he said.

In Malaysia, Yek's father is a hair stylist and his mother a beauty esthetician. They are home now with his sister, who earned a law degree. Yek said he calls more often and is a bit jealous of their family time.

"My sister has gotten out the puzzles, and they're playing rummy. I feel left out in a way. This is a good time for families to see what they've been missing when they're busy living their lives," he said.

Yek stays busy keeping up with his classes online and is heavily involved in a national advertising competition with other students.

Jesse Goodyear is from Australia. The sophomore is majoring in accounting and is also a member of the Laker swimming team.

Goodyear said it's been a rough year for his home country. Following months of deadly brush fires, Australia is now in a stage three lockdown and has closed it borders to non-Aussies, he said.

"People can't go out unless they need food, but the curve is flattening," he said.

Goodyear had qualified for NCAA Division II championships in Geneva, Ohio. He earned All-American honors in the 1000-yard freestyle, but later individual events were canceled by the NCAA in mid-March. "That was rough," he said.

He continues to run and maintain an exercise routine, and said maintaining routine throughout the day is key.

"I do my workouts, then work on the computer. My goal every day is to do all my work, then reward myself by watching TV," he said.