This semester was definitely full of high highs and low lows. As we all know, the semester was cut very short due to Covid-19. I feel very fortunate that CAPA London began in early January so I was able to get in much more time abroad than friends from other programs with later start dates. I felt like there was this dark cloud almost looming over most of the semester with Covid-19 making headlines around the world. It was not until my break in mid-February that I began to grow increasingly concerned about the virus and the great impact it could have worldwide. I was in Budapest at the beginning of my break, preparing to continue on to Rome and then Florence. My parents sent me an article about a few cases in Northern Italy, but were not too concerned with me going on to Rome since it was central. I spent a few days in Rome, then decided it was not in my best interest to continue on to Florence because there had been many cases reported there. I traveled back to London, and tracked the news the following week discussing the catastrophic impact the virus was having on Italy. Many friends who were studying in Italy had their programs cancelled, and I felt like it was only a matter of time before ours was too. After living in a constant state of anxiety for the weeks to follow, we received the email our program was cancelled. Travel bans were being placed and chaos ensued worldwide. My parents were able to get me on a direct flight into Orlando right after it was announced that we would have to go home, which I am very thankful for. Once I arrived home, I felt very emotional about the semester getting cut short. I self-quarantined for the two required weeks due to being out of the country, though I did not have any symptoms. My anxiety was increasingly worse during this time due to a plethora of emails from my program saying students had tested positive. By the time my quarantine was over a lockdown had been placed on Florida, and I am now going on week 5 of quarantine. This is such an unprecedented time for the whole entire world and I am just feeling really thankful for the memories I was able to make in the time I had abroad and the loving family I was able to come home to.
