Lockdown stories: Mohamed Amine Bouabid, Tunisia
Mohamed Amine Bouabid is a student from the University of Sousse in Tunisia. This year he is studying English Studies at the University of Murcia under the framework of the Programme Erasmus+ International Credit Mobility.
Mohamed would like to share his experience with the lockdown in Murcia caused by the COVID-19.
---
With the COVID19 pandemic and the measures of confinement that we are currently living is not a choice, but rather a challenge to be dealt with, the boring, monotonous or even soul crushing of being locked down, lonely, idle, and away from home, family and the beloved ones is no more than a phase that we’re going through in our lives.
My personal experience through the current circumstances as an exchange student abroad in Spain and as one of the most damaged countries in the world because of the virus, has been by far the most terrifying experience in my life, but that doesn’t mean that there is no positive aspects, because I believe in our lives there must be bitter sweet experiences that motivate us to get to know more about ourselves.
In fact, in the tough times of boredom and loneliness due to the lockdown, I found myself struggling to keep the negative vibes out of my head and several things helped to accomplish that. Following online courses and focusing on my studies have been really of a help to somehow forget about the horrible situation that I’m going through, and especially when it come to new interesting subjects such as Cultural Studies and History of the English language, and add to this professors have been showing support and care to their students and I’m so fond of their work. Reading and writing are also my favourite’s pastime, and due to the confinement I have the time for more books from Margaret Atwood as she is one of the outstanding writers in nowadays.
What I have learned from this experience is that I have to invest time in myself and cope with every situation I’m compelled to go through, and I am only a prisoner of my own mind and thoughts, so I learned how to be to be free and how to control my own thoughts. And once the pandemic will be over the whole world will witness that nothing lasts forever and life is a mixture of bitter and sweet. What also has impressed me the most about the current situation that we are living through is the incredible solidarity, kindness, generosity, and creativity we have witnessed from teachers throughout the global network, and I’m really amazed how we have adapted to this situation and how we’re reaching each other for support in the hard times. Fear will not have the last word, but Love and Hope will!
It’s unfortunate that I didn’t have the chance to learn about the country of the fiesta “Spain” and to learn more about its culture and its civilisation, I really would like to come back in the near future to start my journey in discovering and exploring more about the charming Spain. However, what I am aware of is that Spanish people are one of the best people on earth, I have made some Friendship with Spanish people and they’re extremely generous and kind and what I’m happy about is that I have learned Spanish like never before.
We are living in unprecedented times globally. We are all dealing with interruptions, disruptions, and changes to our lives due to the COVID19 pandemic. No matter how frustrating, confusing, or scary the crisis gets, fear doesn’t have the final say, and we must be aware that this pandemic has an end and it’s in the near future, so be strong, be patient and keep up with the good vibes.
Mohamed Amine Bouabid
