Wow! The last two years have been a lot for me! To put it right and short, the last two years have been “Online.” The pandemic was a surprise, let alone the fact that it would mockingly and comfortably cohabitate with us for two years, depriving us of so much fun that social contact brings. The worst part of the pandemic is that it cast a pall over everything, dominating our conversations and favourite shows, snatching our dreams as we sat back trying to stay alive. For those among us, it put our jobs, schools, and lifestyles on hold. When I graduated from high school in 2019, I knew that university would be my next major leap. I didn’t waste any time in starting my application (at African Leadership University) and I was accepted in 2020. I was ecstatic to finally be an adult (at least, that’s the impression everyone gave me), move out of home, and embark on the adventure that was college life. University was like a small paradise in my fantasies. A place where I’d meet strangers who would become lifelong allies, a place where I’d have fun and learn new things. I simply couldn’t hold my excitement but then COVID-19 happened. When I first heard that we wouldn’t be going to school in September 2020, I was devastated. I wanted someone to blame but who? I was angry because this was not how I had imagined my life to turn out. I had no intention of taking a gap year before continuing my education. No, I hadn’t planned on being cooped up inside, sanitising every minute, and unable to wander around. Rwanda’s government, which simply serves to protect its people, was like an overly strict parent to me. My university, on the other hand, did not let me down. I honestly have no understanding of the system, protocols, or resources, but all I know is that my studies were not hampered, however online. As life carried on, laden with the anxiety and uncertainty that came with the pandemic, this was the most delightful distraction but useful I ever undertook. Seated behind my computer, I still made friends out of strangers. I still learned and explored the concept of being a mission-driven leader even amidst a pandemic. I was offered a reason to keep going, rather than sit idle in my room waiting for the next meal. I opened my heart to the new reality, the ‘virtual’ way of life that we would all have to adopt at some point or be left behind. I studied the first year and a half of my much-anticipated college life, online, even though I still believed it wouldn’t last. I, too, grew tired of it over time. I embraced distractions, procrastination, and multitasking with open arms, and sleep gradually conquered my eyes, particularly during the afternoon classes. Who was I kidding, though? Wasn’t it the much-awaited responsibility that I was now forsaking? Wasn’t it true that I was giving myself up while no one else had, at least not my university, my country, my parents? My former high school classmates had not pursued their higher education, and I was there squandering my opportunity. I needed to get myself in check soon, lest my grades suffer and I return to the village (home hehe) without having kept my promise! I would choose to stay in my comfort zone and lay my mission to rest. No! It sure was ‘hard’ but I couldn’t afford to stop. Now that I’m done with my second year, I wonder to myself... Why me? This is a question we usually ask when we are on the verge of a catastrophe, wondering why the events of our lives are not as joyful as we believe we deserve, or so we deceive ourselves due to comparison! Oftentimes we get solace in knowing that other people’s experiences were far worse than ours. But this time we could ask ourselves, “Why us?” as a way to be grateful for having survived the pandemic so far and for having been alive in this era of technology. We could think about how to leverage the opportunities provided through online learning. So why us? It’s not by chance, that’s for sure. It could have been easier to put on hold life as we know it as we juggle through the pandemic but being ‘online’ comes with a responsibility. With all the investments made infrastructures in place, and all the details that I will probably never list or understand. One thing is for sure, not even a pandemic would stop us!
