Adolescents vs COVID-19

international language project

ADOLESCENTS vs COVID-19

Neve Campbell

If you can see life as a learning experience, you can turn any negative into a positive.

This initiative was designed for our students to give them the opportunity to notice and compare how people their age dealt with coronavirus pandemic all around the world. We wanted to show them that they are not alone in this bizarre situation.It was also crucial to make something positive from this negative surrounding.

Intro

the USA

Czech Republic

Philippines

France

Brazil

Chile

India

We've asked students from schools around the world to share their experience of coping with the coronavirus pandemic.

Russia

South Africa

Poland

WHO TOOK PART IN OUR PROJECT?

Natalia,POLAND

Coronsvirus has completely changed my life. Now I can't leave my house to hang out with my friends and I have to be very careful when I go somewhere. I must wear a mask and keep distance from other people. Despite everything this pandemic has one advantage- I spend more time with my family.

Méline,FRANCE

It affected my life in a certain way because I couldn't see my friends anymore. I stop going to school. I feel like missing my friends, we used to talk, laugh and have fun together

Minqweno, SOUTH AFRICA

I have had to stay at home and do nothing, which is unusual. I couldn't move around freely. Some family members lost their jobs and we've had to support them and give them hope

Alina,RUSSIA

My parents and I wanted to go to the cinema,but the coronavirus pandemic started. We closed schools, shopping centers, cinemas, etc. My family and I are staying home.

How did coronavirus pandemic affect your life?

Kyra FranchescaPHILIPPINES

I’m hoping that after this pandemic each one us will realize that life is short, but don’t overjoy because we don’t know what will happen in the future. I think after this pandemic people will realize how important saving money. But the negative changes I think is that most of us will be more dependent to technology. Beside our family, technologies are the closest in our hands.

Leonardo,BRAZIL

I have always loved to go out and get together with my friends, and with this pandemic and my respect for the quarantine I have had to reinvent myself regarding that.

Manon,FRANCE

First of all I felt angry about not being able to go to high school, do any sports, see the family and friends, no more seeing anyone and above all no more hugs or kisses from the people I love. Then sadness overwhelmed me from time to time. I had no motivation at all and I felt a little like pain inside me. And fear, I was afraid to contaminate my parents and my sister. I myself had the responsibility to protect myself and others.

Marta,POLAND

At the beggining, I didn't think that this will be such a big deal. I thought we would stay in our houses for about two weeks and that's it. But now I see that this situation has changed my life a bit. I can't say if it is a possitive or negative change. I learnt some new things which I would have never done because I hadn't had much time to do them. But on the other hand, learning at home is tought and I trully prefer to learn things at school.

Chynie NerielPHILIPPINES

This so-called corona virus has greatly affect my everyday life. A lot of people in our country suffer from this transmittable virus, so the government decided for us to be home quarantined. I can’t attend school and social gatherings because of covid-19. I also missed a lot of knowledge and experiences in life. Many businesses and job closed to stop this covid-19 from spreading and this causes our family to the shortage of money and food.

Julie,CZECH REPUBLIC

I think it affected me in lots of ways. I began to realize, that there are millions of bacteria all around us and we don‘t even see them. It really opened my eyes, for example when I travel in a public transport I‘m sometimes slightly scared to touch the metal rods (or anything similiar). Also the same with pople, I just sometimes got the idea of what if I lived in a country with a huge percentage of infected people.

Alyona,RUSSIA

When the coronavirus epidemic started, I got scared. But then I realized that there are more rumors than real danger. So now, I do not take it really seriously.

Gunagya,INDIA

It definitely taught me how to work under pressure. The whole situation was and still is a juggle between managing everything but well, I’m getting better at it, that’s all I can say. At this point, it does actually seem to go pretty smoothly.

Hannah Prixie,PHILIPPINES

One aspect that affects me are my studies. I'm not used to be alone in the house. I always wanted somebody to talk too because I'm a sociable type but because of this pandemic my social interaction with people is limited.

Mittul, INDIA

Coronavirus pandemic is the most unusual situation I have ever dealt with. Initially it was interesting because of surprise holidays but now it has become an unbearable situation.

Lise-Claire,FRANCE

Well, I have never tried to stay home for three months, this has been an experience. And also the fact to have class at home is special. We have spent each minute and each second in our house in contrast to our usual daily routines of going to school meeting friends, studying in class and doing group works.

Kenjee,PHILIPPINES

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a disaster to everyone. A crisis that makes an every individuals' life at risk. Lost jobs, lack of income, and the unequal process of giving reliefs. This crisis has made my life turn upside down, I'm a teenager who likes to hang out with friends but because of lockdown never had I get out of our place, although I'm with my family, hanging out with them, the stress is still there, seeing their lonely faces as a result of not having a single meal a day.

Raizza,PHILIPPINES

The toughest thing to deal with is the thought how we will survive on this world if we are facing this coronavirus pandemic and how we will also find a cure for this virus for us to get our normal life back again.

Emilia,POLAND

I realized the seriousness of the situation scarcely when they told me that I can't go to shool. Of course, first 2-3 weeks were pretty cool. I am kind of introvert, so information that I can't meet with other people was cool indeed. Later I began to feel empty and uncomfortable. Something was wrong with me. Definitely the toughest thing was (and still is) distance learning. That shows me how teachers are necessary in the whole education process.

Pierre,FRANCE

As a student in high school, it was really tough to work during confinement. I tried my best to do all the assignments though it was a difficult task indeed. I got to read and understand everything myself, nobody was here to talk to me, except on ZOOM classes. Indeed, even on zoom it was tough, at times teachers had to stop their lesson because their babies were crying. I would say that the toughest thing during COVID 19 was schooling!

What was the toughest thing for you to deal with?

Josephine,PHILIPPINES

The toughest thing is that people aren't able to work. This pandemic shut down all the companies, factories and markets that's why people can't work and provide the basic needs for their family.ies Relief goods and supplies are not enough to sustain all their needs.

Yesha,INDIA

Joaquin,CHILE

For me the worst thing was that boredom entered my life. I also felt bad when I couldn't eat out on my birthday.

The toughest thing I have to deal with everyday is to see all the people that are dying from the coronavirus. That's why I don't watch the news too often.

Igor,POLAND

Since coronavirus pandemic has started I couldn't play football. I have been playing football professionally since the first grade of primary school. I normally practise it 5 or 6 days a week. That's why it was really difficult to give up my passion for some time. During lockdown I could only run and train at home. Another tough thing was that we coudln't go to school and since our government closed schools it is harder to learn on our own.

Minqweno, SOUTH AFRICA

Social distancing has to be the toughest thing to deal with, because we live in small rural town which can be so crowded during pay days as everyone all came to town all at once. Keeping children inside and also trying to homeschool them so that their brains could be kept active.

Roma,RUSSIA

For me, the most difficult thing was to stay in quarantine all the time. This is very unusual. Usually at home (I personally) we rest and not study. And that was the hardest part for me. But the correct daily routine helped me cope with this.

Kleeny Jhain,PHILIPPINES

Antonio,PHILIPPINES

For me, the toughest thing I'll deal with is my health. Why? It's because health is wealth. No matter how rich you are if you are not healthy, your money is useless. Maybe, you can use your money in curing your illnesses but upon taking you medication, money can't stop you from feeling the pain inside. So, while we are young let's keep our body healthy and avoid eating or doing such foods and things that can cause you to risks your health. Just take as an example this Covid19. It is attacking our health, so if you are healthy and strong enough, you can pass this challenge we are facing.

The toughest thing to deal with is thinking on how will my family survive if we are lack in needs for our everyday life and also to find cure for this virus.

Julia,POLAND

The most difficult was to deal with closed stores and huge queues to the supermarkets. At the beginning people started to panic, so they bought everything (mainly pasta and toilet paper). It seemed funny, but the situation was serious.

Sunay,INDIA

For me the toughest thing was not meeting my friends, keeping myself inside home as I can't sit in one place for long tim.

Szymon,POLAND

I played video games with my friend Wiktor and I think that it was time well spent. I watched some YouTube videos about various subjects.

Anatoly,RUSSIA

I did not feel any discomfort from the isolation itself. Different video hosting helped me with boredom, but for the most part YouTube. Also during self-isolation, I watched various TV shows. During quarantine, I was able to view three TV series and another one that I started watching before the pandemic.

Ana,USA

By staying busy and enjoying staying at home time, being able to take care of myself more, with more free time, due to not being able to get out the house.

Emanuelle,BRAZIL

I try to keep myself entertained and to be grateful for the little things, trying to reconnect on a deeper level with my family, spending quality time with my parents.

How did you cope with stress during your country’s lockdown?

I cope my stress by spending more time with my family and we keep on praying that someday our world will be free in coronavirus.

Dasha,RUSSIA

Jade Carl,PHILIPPINES

Patrycja,POLAND

Being involved in my hobbies helped me a lot with coping with lockdown stress. I also tried to find some positives of this situation. I don't have to take two busses one way to go to school every day. When we have online lessons I have about 4 extra hours per day. I don't have to wake up at 4 am either. I use this time to improve my language skills. My second hobby is dancing. When I feel sad this is the best medicine for my bad mood. I think that doing things you love can be the best recipe for people who don't know what to do until the situation changes.

Raizza,PHILIPPINES

Jair Bruno,BRAZIL

Honestly, I felt no stress. I didn't worry too much, just follow the rules.

I dealt with stress very easily. I did those things for which there was not enough time. It could be sewing or watching comedy with the whole family

To cope with stress during the lock down, I planted vegetables in our backyard, I got a bounding with my family and I build more my talents and skill. At first, I got stress on knowing that the country is under the lockdown but with all the activities that I performed, I easily cope up my stress.

Minqweno, SOUTH AFRICA

I focused more on the positive things, kept my mind busy helping children with their school work has been the best coping mechanism.

Hermie Angela,PHILIPPINES

Actually , I cope with stress during country's lockdown with the help of my cooking skills. My mother is a grocery worker and Everytime she left for work, I told her to buy something for me to cook for. I wasted my time in cooking different dishes. Every dish I make is something greatful and consider as my happiness.

Lise-Claire,FRANCE

Actually, I'm not a very stressed person, and we just had to stay home, I don't understand what's stressful in there. But I know I didn't watch TV or other stuff because they are very good at making people stressed.

Natasha,RUSSIA

I don't have stress because of the coronovirus. I watch movies and TV shows, play with pets. With parents we spend family evenings when everyone watches a movie and eat delicious food. I started playing sports,because before there was not enough time for this. I started adding small varieties to everyday life, because this is exactly what everyone needs now.

Karolina,POLAND

Because of the pandemic I had to stop swimming and meeting my friends and that’s why I was pretty stressed. But when I started training at home and video chatting my friends I felt much better.

Sunay,INDIA

I sometimes listened to my fav music, watched movies. I also relax by doing some relaxing exercises.

Manon,FRANCE

I live in the countryside so I was able to walk a little and I have a large area of land at my place. It is surrounded by my neighbors but also meadows and fields. Having a contact with nature helped me deal with stress.

Gustavo,BRAZIL

Lockdown is BORING! I'm playing lots of videogames and talking to my friends on the phone. I'm also doing a lot of studying since I'm home all day with my mom and she makes me.

Joaquin,CHILE

I deal with stress by playing video games, watching some movies on Netflix or I play boardgames with my family.

Chynie Neriel,PHILIPPINES

During my country’s lockdown I coped my stress by watching Korean dramas and spending more time with my family. My family is the reason why I stay strong and they give me hope.

Mittul, INDIA

Coronavirus will reduce public gatherings and will spoil the fun of everything. We will also have to wear that annoying mask everytime and the use of sanitizer and hand wash will increase that will increase hygiene

Minqweno, SOUTH AFRICA

Our lives will never be the same again, as the economy of the country will take a huge hit from this pandemic. Probably more people will lose their jobs as companies will be trying to make the money lost.

Ana,USA

I believe when it’s over we will have other rules and restrictions on freedom for our own safety and health, schools and others will also change in the way they function, or at least in the beginning they will.

Manon,FRANCE

I think we’ll pay more attention to lifestyle, live more the present moments, pay more attention to others, enjoy being with those we love and a change of mentality about the environment and our way of life. It’ll change our way of thinking and doing things. Hence, we will be more cautious and we are now very much self-aware of our surrounding.

How will coronavirus change the way we live?

Alex,RUSSIA

I think when this pandmic is over people will continue to live more separately from each other. The internet services now are improving so much and people who had never used it before now have to use it. I think they will continue doing that after pandemic too

Wiktor,POLAND

I think coronavirus experience won't change too much in people's approach to life. There had already been various viruses, and people still forgot about standard activities like washing hands. I think people are still too reckless.

Roma,RUSSIA

Even today, it is clear that the coronavirus pandemic will change our lives: in many countries, schools and educational institutions have been shut down, public events have been cancelled, and entire cities have been quarantined. Maybe in the future people will refuse to shake hands and wash their hands more often.

Joshua,BRAZIL

Well it will change, and it already is messing up everyone’s financial way of life with the people getting fired from their jobs and this quarantine not letting people get out.

Gunagya,INDIA

Contrary to the belief that this whole quarantine has brought people together, it has taught us how tough it actually is to live with your whole family, when all of us get irritated and frustrated by the day.

Antonio,PHILIPPINES

First advantage for me is that we should not spend so much on unimportant things. We should learn how to be thrifty not only on money but in all kinds of matter. Because of this pandemic, we are stranded. We are stuck in our houses. Some of us are depending on the government because they don't have enough financials to support their family's need. There is a saying in tagalog 'kung may isinuksok,may madurukot'. So, try to earn money in your piggy bank so that you can have it when you need it. (...) Also bond with your family members. We don't know how long we will live so spend our time together. Because everything has its end.

Szymon,POLAND

I learnt that it's important to protect economy from crisis. I also learnt a lot about how to protect myself during pandemic. I know now that our life could turn around in one week, and I think it's an important life lesson for everyone.

Alex,RUSSIA

My lifestyle has changed a lot because of coronavirus. I was at home most of the time and didn't go out. I began to keep a safe distance. I bagan to play computer games more. I have learnt from this unusual experience what you can spend more time with your family, devote more time to your hobby.

Leonardo,BRAZIL

I learned to manage my time better, and to be a more patient person. To treat people better when we are all stressed, because we are all going through the same thing.

Pierre,FRANCE

I think that from now on people will pay more attention to hygiene. For instance, they will wash their hands more often and they’ll use more hydroalcoholic gels. Of course, I think so because all the hydroahcoholic gels in the stores are being sold out.

Joaquin,CHILE

Julie,CZECH REPUBLIC

Kyra Franchesca,PHILIPPINES

I’m hoping that after this pandemic every one of us will realize that life is short, but don’t overjoy because we don’t know what will happen in the future. I think after this pandemic people will realize how important saving money. But the negative changes I think is that most of us will be more dependent to technology. Beside our family, technologies are the closest in our hands.

I think people are going to be more careful maybe even respectful. Perhaps people will treat our planet, themselfs and others better.

I think that we have to start to be more apart from each other and take care of our higiene. Moreover, in my opinion there will be more demand for some jobs in which people are able to work online.

Minqweno, SOUTH AFRICA

We are able to work from home. South Africa can be a drug and crime free country. We've learnt so much about our children as we have now stayed with them 24/7.

Jair Bruno,BRAZIL

I value the time we spend together with people we love and place a higher value on family, friends and people we cherish.

Patrycja,POLAND

I've learned that we can get used to new conditions and we can deal with various inconvenience. I've also learnt to appreciate what I have in my life. For example learning. In many countries there are a lot of young people who want to study but they can't because their schools are closed and they dont have the opportunity of doing it online. I've learned not to complain but go through my life with big smile on my face. We need to be grateful of what we have in our live and try to help other people in difficult times.

Méline,FRANCE

During this period, we did not pollute the Earth. There was less pollution all over the world. In addition, there was no noise pollution. I enjoyed staying with my family.

What positive things have you learnt from this unusual experience?

I found a positive point in the fact that during a pandemic,people became more anxious about their health. Everyone is trying to help as they can. To help doctors morally,observe all safety measures. In bad times for the whole world, people become more united. This pandemic will not leave anyone indifferent.

Hanah Prixie,PHILIPPINES

The positive things that I've learned is being conscious with our health. To avoid sickness, learn how to be clean, be safe in order to be healthy.

Joaquin,CHILE

Things that I am most grateful is that now we use less cars to go to our jobs, making less contamination and in my case the technology is helping me to make me feel a less alone, because it helps me keep in contact with my teammates, teachers and family.

Julie,CZECH REPUBLIC

I learnt to be a little more independet and do things alone without any help from other people. Maybe I‘m even more responsible now. I think I‘m more perceptive.

Natasha,RUSSIA

Kleeny Jhain,PHILIPPINES

For me the positive things that I've learnt are: we should listen and follow the rules, tips and steps in order to avoid this pandemic and also to know how we spend our time in doing right things for our life.

Gustavo,BRAZIL

I've learnt that tomorrow is not promised so don't take anything for granted. That friends and family are more important than we imagine. That we can live without celebrities, soccer players and other idols, but we cant live without our family, healthcare workers and basic services people.

Unnati,INDIA

The positive thing is that I do not need to go to school, and there are also free holidays, so to speak. This, in fact, is a huge plus for students. the advantage at the moment is that I have slightly deepened my knowledge of English, also in using the Internet, because I used to understand less.

Chynie NerielPHILIPPINES

The positive things that I learned in this unusual experience is we people are a lot more stronger than any disease and problem .We just need to help and support each other.

Natalia,POLAND

Except that I have learnt how to cook delicious snack on my own I've also learnt a lot of about medical professions and how hard they are. I have learnt that I should appreciate my family or friends more

Ana,USA

The world has been very polluted over the years and now that people are off the streets and businesses aren’t working as much or at all anymore the earth is being able to regenerate and become more healthy during this time.

Emanuelle,BRAZIL

If we go back to our routines, things will not be as they were. I believe that with the pandemic, people will need to deal with others with more empathy and care.I learned that there is no need to demand or expect too much from myself and others, and that each person has their own way of dealing with their feelings.

Kolya,RUSSIA

Heidi Mae Ruiz-Bautista from Philippines

Pavlína Síťovka from Czech Republic

Indra Jhingree from France

Purti Tak from India

Sipokazi Qwesha from South Africa

Nelly Sereda from Russia

Paolla Orellana from Chile

Special thanks to:

Denise Paiva from Brazil

I cannot begin to express my thanks to the amazing teachers who encouraged their students to take part in this initiative. The success of this project would not have been possible without their involvement. Kamila Bohdziewicz, Poland

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION