Pandemic Reflections - Nawal Tajdin

Meet Nawal. Nawal is a Student Support Advisor on our Student Support team at UWinnipeg PACE. We asked her to reflect on how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted her.

“As a former international student and an immigrant to Canada from Kenya and the Middle East, I am familiar with living through periods of transition. I find myself relying on the lessons gained from past experiences of change and uncertainty in my life to guide me through this.

Working closely with students, I have the privilege of being inspired and motivated by the adaptability and resilience of each of them. Our transition from in-class delivery to remote working and learning has been enriched further by the responsiveness of our students. Witnessing their commitment to their academic, professional and personal goals, keeps me going on days that are more challenging than others. There is also something to be said about adversity being an opportunity to think and respond in creative ways, which is why I appreciate all the hard work and support of my colleagues at PACE and the wider University of Winnipeg community.

Seeking support from friends and family (from a safe distance) has also been a source of strength for me. I recently joined Muslims around the world in observing the month of Ramadan. Initially, I did not know what to expect and was worried about fasting in isolation. However, I quickly discovered that fasting from home made it easier for me to reconnect to my spirituality due to fewer distractions and more flexibility with my time.

As cliched as this sounds, knowing that we are in this together has helped alleviate the anxiety I was feeling at the beginning. This collective experience is teaching me to take a step back when I am overwhelmed, to focus on what is within my control and to practice gratitude for the privileges I sometimes take for granted. Wishing us all health, safety and the strength to keep moving forward.”