I am enjoying the opportunity to spend quality time with my family and lifelong friends, which is especially meaningful to me since I was living in Israel for the past two years. Being home is all about being cared for, and eating the mangoes and bananas that grow in the garden, so I can’t complain.
However, it is disheartening to be here instead of on the Columbia campus in New York. Starting a new university remotely is hard, though I'm always trying to connect with people through online classes and events. The few people I have gotten to know this way, especially in my double major courses in Philosophy and Sustainable Development, have been keeping me excited and motivated.
I haven't been doing much these days besides studying. I can’t wait to discover New York in person, to meet new people, interact with my professors, and live the Columbia student life I've been dreaming of. Even if it’s just grabbing a cup of coffee over a silly conversation—I will never again take for granted those simple moments that once seemed so ordinary. I hope we can soon all be together on the Morningside campus!
Isadora Saslavsky Muszkat is a student at the School of General Studies.