Little Big PitcH
Humanitarian Fundraising
C2n: Colony to Nationhood
M E E T T H E T E A C H E R S B E H I N D
GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES
M E E T T H E T E A C H E R S B E H I N D
GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES
M E E T T H E T E A C H E R S B E H I N D
GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES
MS. PARNELL
Music
C2n: Colony to Nationhood
C2n: Colony to Nationhood
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C2n: Colony to Nationhood
GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES
During a Worldwide Pandemic
Despite the many challenges of COVID-19, the Global class of 2020 is determined, adaptable and creative. Below is some of the content that our class was able to produce under challenging circumstances.
OUR THOUGHTS...
DIARY ENTRIES
In mid-march, the Ontario government announced that publicly-funded schools would remain closed for an additional two weeks after March break in an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19. These initial closures would have us return on April 6, however the virus presented a greater challenge than anticipated, and eventually led to a province-wide social and economic shutdown. This left us isolated at home, completing the remainder of the school semester online. Everyone has their own challenges with circumstances like these, but for Global students, it was entirely different. Most students don’t mind not having to go to school and being allowed to sleep in all week, but our class loved the experience and the environment of our program. We missed the worldly education and interactive time with people who became very close in under two months of classes. To be sent home that early from something we all began to love and look forward to, and to miss out on such unique experiences of learning and travelling, was very challenging for our class. And so, in this section, a few students speak on their experience in isolation from COVID-19, and how it all unfolded for them while staying home to fight a global health crisis.
DARIYA MEREMYANINA
"When Global Perspectives first started I was excited for it all; the school work, big projects (ISU, C2N, Shaman, Little Big Pitch, etc.), the environment, making new friends and of course, travelling to Germany and Cuba. Unfortunately, I have not been able to fulfill the expectations I had for this program due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. When I first heard about the coronavirus, I didn’t think much about it. I somewhat shrugged it off and didn’t think that the virus could someday affect the whole world. Until the virus hit Canada, my Global experience was normal. The anticipation and planning leading up to our ISU due dates, C2N and Cuba trip had started. On March 13 (also Friday the 13 which does not seem like a coincidence), we got the news that we were no longer able to travel. This day was very hard for not only myself but for everyone in portable 11. I’m not going to lie, there was a lot of crying that day. For the first bit of quarantine, everything was confusing and I think I can speak for most of my classmates when I say we were angry and heartbroken. Our once in a lifetime chance at this program was over. After a couple of weeks, I started to pull myself together and try to get my work done. Procrastination became even more amplified during quarantine with so much extra time on myhands. Netflix and Disney + consumed my days. It was hard to be motivated to work on the piles of homework we got assigned. I tried my best to get my work done while finding time to work out, do chores and relax. This quarantine taught me to appreciate everything we are privileged enough to have. Now that we are almost 3 months into quarantine, I have accepted the unexpected roadblock put into our lives as well as reassessed my priorities. All of our teachers (Mr.Toole, Mr.Torlée, Mr.Babcock and Ms.Parnell) worked hard for us to have the best Global experience under the circumstances we were given, which I am also very thankful for. Although the Global class of 2020 did not have the chance to experience this program to its fullest, our year was unique and will always be remembered."
HANNA HOOGEVEEN
"For me, isolation has been harder than I expected. For one, I discovered a lot of emotions that I didn’t realize that I had until I was not able to see my friends and only being around my family. I think that isolation for me has been a good way to clear my head and understand what is most important in my life to me. One thing that I have done to stay balanced was lots of reading and starting to write a book (it’s not going too well so far). Another thing is that I definitely started doing more exercise, I realized that I have so much time on my hands so why not use it to get in shape. Now isolation has been harder than it was in the beginning because of everything that is going on in the world, I find it difficult to unwind at the end of the day. There are constant news updates and sometimes I find I just need to disconnect and allow myself to think. I am finding it challenging to stop working and allowing myself to relax because without different places, like school and then coming home, I do not know when to stop. I definitely appreciate normal life much more than I did now that isolation has created such a different experience. There are so many things that I want to do in my life and isolation has just solidified these goals and dreams."
KIERAN MCELREA
"For me, the first weeks of COVID-19 quarantine and isolation were very difficult due to the fact that I wanted to go back to school because I was really enjoying the program in the little
time we had it at school. I was already crushed with the news that we wouldn’t be travelling, and so it was disappointing because I hoped that the two weeks off after March break would stand and we would return on August 6, but this did not happen. The spring 15’s rugby season had also just begun but that got terminated as well. I had to accept that it might take longer than I wanted. After a month or so I realized we wouldn't be returning for the rest of the semester, and this was well before it was announced by the province. This was good because I accepted it early on so I could move on and stop dwelling on whether we would return. Even with this, I found doing school work at home on my own time was very challenging and something I had to get used to. Especially with the ISU I struggled with following through with a schedule, because it’s hard not to procrastinate when all you have is time. But I found a way, and adapted to the new school reality. I realized that I should be doing more than sleeping and working, so to stay on track I would exercise and play basketball outside. Eventually after some time in quarantine, I have found a balance between sleeping, school work, Netflix/YouTube and physical activity. I still find myself bored due to the lack of social interaction outside of my family, but I adjusted in the end and I’d say it worked out."
"As I believe most people have felt, quarantine has been rough for me. I’m a very social person and I rely on social interactions to keep my friends and I connected to one another. When I first learned about the possibility of the impact that Covid-19 could have, I felt like it was a world away. When it came to Toronto and parents in Vaughan began sending their children to school in masks I laughed because I truly didn’t yet understand the true implications of this virus. When quarantine began I thought that I would be able to be extra productive and use the time to my advantage. I was incredibly wrong. I fell into a depressive state and it was super difficult to finish my homework. Listening to music and letting out my emotions really helped me realize how I could benefit myself and turn it around. I began to eat healthier breakfasts and begin my day with affirmations. In no way am I saying that I am finished on my journey of bettering myself but I’m trying my best to take the right steps. Even though everyday feels like two steps forward and one step back. You never truly realize how important seemingly meaningless parts of your life are until they are taken away. Things like simply hugging my friends to greet them in the school hallway. If there is one positive thing I have learned from this quarantine, it’s how to be truly grateful for the things and people around you."
KENDRA LANCASTER
SARAH STEADMAN
"The Covid-19 experience has been an interesting one for me. The first week really was not fantastic. The idea of not seeing my friends for 2 weeks was not a thought I was coming to terms with easily, little did I know those 2 weeks would become more like 2 months. I had trouble finding motivation the first few weeks, but slowly as we began getting assignments again and I decided to try and pull my life together, things took a turn for the better. I began working out more often, baking and trying new recipes (I am happy to say that I feel like my baking skills have improved tenfold), and now I am reading a bit before bed every night. I adapted the mindset of using this time for myself since I can’t really see many of my friends. I am usually a very busy person, making plans every time I have a free moment, so this became quite a refreshing experience once I figured out how I wanted to spend it. I really threw myself into my work as there was not much else to focus on. I facetimed friends a few times a week and as the curve begins to flatten, my hope for the future is growing and I am incredibly curious to see where the world goes over the course of the next 12 months."
QUARANTINE HOBBIES
In isolation, we have all suffered from the boredom of our daily routines. However, although we are all living through the same pandemic, everyone is filling their time differently. People have been taking advantage of this situation to take up new hobbies and learn new skills. The Globalites are no exception, and we wanted to present you with our quarantine hobbies!