International Exchange Learning Outcomes
May
5th, 2020
“Life can only be
understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.”- Soren Kierkegaard. It
has been four months since I have been home from Europe. I started my final
co-op work term thirteen days after I arrived back in Canada. Thus, I did not
have time to fully reflect on my exchange experience. Over the past four
months, I have had the chance to realize how my international exchange
experience has changed my perspective. I am thankful to have an international
perspective during a time where COVID-19 has brought heightened uncertainty and
ambiguity into our lives. During my four months studying in Milan, I got a
taste of the Italian lifestyle, made international friends, and learned about
finance from an international perspective.
I am grateful that I had
the opportunity to travel across Europe before severe travel restrictions due
to the Coronavirus outbreak. After spending four months enjoying Italy’s
beautiful attractions, delicious food, and rich culture, it was difficult to
witness Italy experiencing substantial cases and hardships during this
pandemic. Italy has experienced 29,315 deaths to date during this crisis (John
Hopkins University & Medicine). I am praying for the health, safety and
prosperity of Italy and the rest of the world. Furthermore, this international
experience has given me a deeper compassion and perspective on the global effects
of this COVID-19 pandemic. This is a global crisis that has affected everyone.
Now that I have experienced another culture and have friends from across the
world, I have increased empathy for Europe and the whole world. I can relate
more to the situation, which makes me consider not only the effects on my
country but the whole world.
During my exchange, I
realized that to truly gain an appreciation for a different culture, you must
embrace it and not just tolerate it. This means actively trying to adapt and
take part in the language, culture, and social norms. When I originally wrote
my exchange reflection, I broke my learning experience into two categories,
which are risk, and adaptability. While in Europe, I had to take daily risks
and be adaptable. I engaged in varying levels of risks, some smaller risks
included daily transport to unfamiliar locations, attempting to speak Italian,
and hanging out with new people that I’d never met before. Some larger risks
included signing a rental agreement for an apartment I’d never seen with an
unknown agency, signing a phone contract despite the language barrier and mutual understanding on the contract terms, travelling to new countries alone
with little direction, and buying a new laptop with uncertainty regarding
import duties, the correctness of shipping details and rules regarding lithium
batteries. Moreover, daily adaptability was required with different rules,
social norms, and cultural differences. If I had rejected the reality of the
changes that I was facing, then I would have experienced increased adversity and
difficulty while in Italy. Thus, managing risk and embracing adaptability are
essential when facing ambiguity.
As a result of COVID-19,
The topics of risk and adaptability have become increasingly relevant in
today’s “at home” economy. Governments have started loosening restrictions and
creating phases to reopen the economy. Albeit, there are a lot of unanswered
questions. What will the stages of reopening look like? How will businesses
bring employees back in a safe manner? How will education be adjusted? Will we
be hit with another wave? All these important questions involve consideration
for risk and adaptability, among other considerations. Governments and Businesses
must understand the risk of opening the economy. Businesses must consider how
they can adapt their work environments. Some argue that it is not safe to
reopen until a vaccine is found. At that point, organizations can open with
more certainty. Although, that seems like it will take 12-18 months to develop.
For businesses, they must consider how their interactions with employees and
customers will change. Businesses must work to not only create a safe
environment but also convince and entice customers to begin making purchases
again. Office spaces also must now be redesigned for safety. Companies must
consider how to reconfigure daily interactions in elevators, passageways, and
shared spaces. Furthermore, businesses must weigh the business risk of another
outbreak vs. the adaptability of continued remote work.
Presently, Italy is
implementing phase two of its return from the Coronavirus lockdown. The
adjustments that Italy is making will have a material impact on their daily
interactions. Especially as I evoke on my Italian experience. The Italians
engage in shared meals called “Aperitivos”, double-cheek kisses to say hello,
and live and work in much more condensed spaces. Italy is also facing intense
economic pressures. Thus, there is a demand for reopening more quickly.
Although, they could risk a second wave of infections if they are not prudent
in the reopening stages. Expectations for reopening may be different than
reality for many Italian citizens.
Here is an overview of Italy’s reopening schedule:
April 27th:
Manufacturing, construction, real estate, and wholesale companies were able to
prepare for reopening in early May. Employers must ensure safety standards,
such as social distancing and cleaning were established.
May 4th: Family
visits allowed to relatives, returning home, visits to parks, exercise outdoors
is permitted, funerals allowed up to a certain limit. This May 4th date is the
official opening for most individuals.
Additionally, masks are mandatory on public transport and
in enclosed indoor locations in Italy. Italian Prime minister Giuseppe Conte
stated that the measures put in place could be adjusted if the country
experiences another outbreak.
Source: The Local IT
In
conclusion, my international exchange experience has given me a broader
perspective and compassion for the effects on the entire world. Similar to the
outbreak of the Coronavirus, the world will be looking for examples to manage
reopening from early hit countries like China and Italy. Finally, this process
will not be easy, but it will require risk-taking and adaptability from all
involved.
References
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