Summer experiences in a pandemic
It is no better time than the summer break for ZJU students to hone their skills and broaden their horizons through our diverse global exchange programs. Their experience in the summer of 2020 is quite unique. In response to COVID-19, going virtual is the only option and our communication skills are stretched to stay involved with global community and new technologies are utlized to create more personalized and adaptive learning and connections for students.
Statistics about online exchange programs for undergraduates
Through a variety of virtual platforms, students overcome the difficulty of time difference and are able to take part in a meaningful educational experience. Coordinated by the School of Art and Archaeology (SAA)，the Egyptology crush course offered by Dr. Peter Der Manuelian and his graduate students from Harvard University was one of the highlights among diverse ZJU programs with overseas universities/institutions in over 20 countries or regions. Open to the whole community, this 15-session course gave the ZJUers an ancient Egypt 101 about their amazing civilization and culture. “Last year I attended the VR course about Giza Pyramid offered by the Harvard and it was great to take the course together with the Harvard students. Due to the outbreak, all Summer Study Abroad programs were cancelled. Luckily I got in this online program to satisfy my interest about ancient Egyptian，” a student participant said.
For many students, research internships in overseas institutions could be a potentially life-changing learning opportunities, which of course were spoiled by the pandemic. ZJU has scrambled to partner with organizations and replace them with remote options. So this summer, ZJU students are analyzing sample data or building demo dervices from their home in China under the instructions of professors from UC Davis, Princeton University and National University of Signapore. “Whether it was in person or not, I still gained those skills or valuable experience,” one student in the summer internship program with MIT said. “It’s a new way of experiencing work.”
Students of ZJU and the University of Michigan formed a team to participate a COVID-19 related challenge
Still, the remote option doesn’t appeal to everyone.“Doing the internship, meeting people and being introduced to new tasks and also getting to know how the culture is at an overseas University — I think that’s really difficult to do virtually compared to doing it in person.”
In hindsight, when our students reflect on what happened this summer, they may be going to realize that having access to different ways of taking courses, managing work will have really prepared them for success in an increasingly dynamic world of work.
In addition to these academic activities, the ZJU Global also collated a list of free virtual activities in which students, faculty, staff and any individual interested in international or global affairs can participate!
Explore some world-famous landmarks and museums from the comfort of your home!
Take a free online course about COVID-19 and how it can be combatted through epidemiology.
Or read meetings coverage and press briefings on various topics from the United Nations.