Struggles of an International Connection

Among the various platforms to hold digital meetings, I decided to utilize Google meet on Saturday mornings to hold my ENGin sessions. Connecting with someone overseas is both easier and more challenging than expected, especially because our lifestyles are different but we still are gaining experiences to find a place in the world.

For months, several parts of Ukraine have been experiencing air alerts and blackouts, all of which not only affect electricity and light, but also the ability for cities to put up huge Christmas decorations and and trees as usual, it also cuts off access to Internet and data connection, making international communication difficult. I texted my buddy in between some of my classes about winter break after finals, and she sent me a picture of some Christmas lights in her city years ago, explaining how there weren't any this year because of the war.

While I met regularly with her on Saturday mornings, there were a few days that didn't work out because of electricity issues and our time zones. She had a test to prepare for in the middle of the week, and we both wanted to meet before then, so I called her when I got home--it was almost midnight for her when we finished. I remember blackouts from thunderstorms and random issues that come up, but imagining it going on for multiple months, irregularly is an entirely different story.

Almost like the pandemic, where it was a terrifying and new life to adjust to, there are moments of panic, but there are also moments where people settle and sit through it. It was really inspiring, almost, to see how my buddy was living through air sirens and alerts every day and still thinking about fun shows to watch on Netflix or talking with me online. It gave me assurance that it would all be okay, and that we just have to get by day by day rather than thinking of solving the world in an instant.

Hearing about her experiences while still attending school and wanting to be a translator helped me to be increasingly grateful and hopeful about what our generation can accomplish together, no matter how different we seem to be at first.