For many of MSU’s international students, going home was not an option when the University transitioned to remote learning in March. Far from home and many without their campus employment opportunities, the effects of the pandemic brought drastic changes to their lives. But the importance of everyday necessities remained a constant amid their rapidly changing landscape.
So students were grateful for the creation of the COVID-19 Student Emergency Fund and the chance to return to in-person campus life for the Fall 2020 semester. During their time here they had already witnessed the generosity and support of the Wichita Falls community through local civic organizations, church groups, and individuals.
With the implementation of the emergency fund, the University was able to award $65,000 to more than 300 students in need.
“I’ve been in Wichita Falls for a number of years, and I’ve always known that this community was very giving,” senior mechanical engineering major Germiamah Junkere said. “They came out to help us during this hard time, and I know that this was hard for them as well. It was really just nice to know that somebody was looking out for us and wanted to help.” Junkere works as a teaching assistant in the McCoy School of Engineering.
Lydie Joseph, a radiology major from Dominica, was joyful when the Redwine Wellness Center on campus opened again after the temporary shutdown, giving her a chance to work and also share her enthusiasm with others. “I couldn’t pay my rent,” Lydie said. “As an international student, I don’t have access to federal funding.”
Her mother had a reduced income back in Dominica, so it was a tough time financially for her and her family. “In Wichita Falls, the community has been really nice to international students. People will literally go out of their way to help students regardless of whether they know you. People who don’t even know you will contribute to your well-being,” she said. Lydie is on track to graduate in 2022 with the goal of working in health care in Dominica.
Kamilah Tobin finished 2020 on a winning note, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in mass communication and securing employment with Global Education Office on campus. The final semester was challenging for Kamilah, who came to MSU Texas from the island of Saint Kitts. Kamilah had to deal with the loss of income when her job on campus was suspended in March.
“Honestly, I was actually more proud of myself to complete a degree,” Kamilah said. “It was something I had not prepared for, and to complete my degree in a pandemic and get a job after, I was proud of myself. I want to say thank you to MSU for creating the fund. I hope it continues, not necessarily distributing it, but in case of an emergency, I hope the fund continues.”
Senior Tariq Morvan, a management information systems major who plans to graduate in May 2021, said the help he received was very timely. “You’re not aware of what’s going on, and you’re so far away from home, and it builds a lot of anxiety. I was a bit worried,” Tariq said. “That money basically went to me paying bills, buying groceries. The pandemic was a really tough one, especially for us international students being so far away from home. To be honest, the funding meant the world to us, especially the timing that it came in. We come up here on a budget, and once something happens to our budget, it can be affected drastically. We appreciate that people from Wichita Falls were willing and able to assist us with our basic necessities like food and water. We will forever be grateful.”