Learning from a distance

Changes to the Fall semester in response to COVID-19 have many Katies attending virtual classes, both locally and country-wide. While there are a few in-person classes, the majority of courses are meeting virtually to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Taking online classes poses some additional struggles for those learning from a great distance and time zone. 

One such student, Charlotte Kadifa (‘23, History), is residing in Palo Alto, Calif., about 2,000 miles from St. Kate’s. She made the decision to stay home during the Fall semester because all her courses are happening virtually. 

“I like knowing that I am safe at home,” said Kadifa. “If anything happens in either California or Minnesota, I don't have to worry about my safety or being so far from my family.” 

Above is Kadifa’s desk, covered with textbooks, school supplies, and other mementos from St. Kate’s and her personal life.

Despite the perks of being at home, like being around family, personal safety, and saving money on room-and-board, there are disadvantages to being so far away. “The biggest challenge is time zones,” said Kadifa. “I'm juggling three different time zones, Pacific because that's where I'm living, Central for school, and then Eastern for my internship, so there's a lot more thinking and planning when it comes to my daily schedule...I didn't know until this past summer how exhausting it is to spend so much time on video calls.”

Though there are some downsides to learning online and from another state, Kadifa sees some benefits to this style of learning. “I have learned so much more about technology and different video-call platforms, so maybe that will help me in the future,” Kadifa said. With technology and video-call platforms becoming a learning necessity, Kadifa is developing tech fluency and problem solving.

I am also experiencing my own whirlwind of difficulties and successes with virtual learning. Though I am based outside of Chicago, which is much closer to St. Kate’s then Palo Alto, it has still been challenging. The gap between my home and St. Kate’s means an inability to visit friends who reside in the area, but also an assurance that I can more easily avoid catching COVID-19.

Though some of us are farther away from campus than others, we are all experiencing a virtual learning environment in one way or another. The hope that we will all gather again unites us, no matter how far apart.