by Maria Thomas, News Editor
With the holiday season approaching, on-campus students will be traveling home for the rest of the semester amid the on-going pandemic, making Thanksgiving look different for many. The Quadrangle spoke with various students to see how they feel about returning home and celebrating this holiday in a new way.
Christopher Iannace, Sophomore, Civil Engineering Major
Where is home for you?
Home is in White Plains, NY.
How do you feel about going home with cases rising across the country?
I’m a little nervous about the off chance of getting COVID and giving it to my family, it is probably one of my greater concerns, but me and my friends have been following the whole social distancing procedures and stuff like that so hopefully we’ll be okay and safe.
How do you feel about being home for nearly two months before the start of next semester?
Oh, it’s a long time, for sure. But um, I think I like it. I see why they’re making the winter one longer than and taking away spring break like I understand it kind of sucks but if that’s what they think is necessary for the school then that’s okay.
How do you plan on spending Thanksgiving, if you celebrate that holiday?
I don’t know what the plan is at the moment.
Katie Rachman, Freshman, Elementary and Special Education Major
Where is home for you?
Los Angeles, California specifically San Pedro.
How do you feel about going home with cases rising across the country?
I’m a little anxious obviously to fly, I do have an N95 which puts me at, you know a little bit more security about it, but obviously there’s a lot of risk going to the airport, going on a plane and then seeing my family again. I’m planning on getting tested and wearing a mask around family and friends till I make sure I have a negative test once I’m back in California. And then also, just the fact that I had to get tested here before I go home — it’s a little nerve wracking to be like, ‘hopefully my test is negative, so I don’t have to get stuck here in New York,’ because a lot of people have been testing positive that I know. Maybe I haven’t been in contact with them, but I know them and so I’m obviously anxious about it. But I’m very excited to go home and see my family and friends again.
How do you feel about being home for nearly two months before the start of next semester?
Like I said, I’m excited to see my family and friends, but I definitely think it will be hard being so disconnected from campus. I’m sure you’re experiencing this too, especially with the time change my 9 a.m. class is now going to be at six in the morning, which makes it very, very difficult. Some of my finals which are scheduled for 8:30 here in New York are going to be at 5:30 in the morning, and some professors have been really great about working on that with me but some not so much. So it’s definitely going to be an adjustment. Also, going back from dorm life to living at home with my family. So there’s a mixup, I’m very excited to go back but also just upset that I’m not going to be able to experience that campus life.
How do you plan on spending Thanksgiving if you celebrate that?
My brother lives a couple hours north of my family, so we are going to drive up and visit him. And obviously taking all the precautions, wearing masks, and I will hopefully have gotten tested before we go see him. But yeah, that’s pretty much it, just super low key– my parents and my brother and I, and that’s it.
Anthony Behpour, Freshman, Mechanical Engineering Major
Where is home for you?
Westchester, not too far from here– about 20 minutes away.
How do you feel about going home with cases rising across the country?
Well, I’m kind of sad to be going home because I’m gonna miss all my friends here and everything, but I think it’s the best decision, considering everything that’s going on. I think we’d all be safer at home.
How do you feel about being home for nearly two months before the start of next semester?
It’s gonna be tough because you’re gonna be switching routines from, you know, living on campus and being around everyone, all my college friends like every day to going home and not being around anyone’s going to be a difficult transition. But like I said, it’s for safety.
How do you plan on spending Thanksgiving, if you celebrate that holiday?
Well, usually we do a big celebration with my whole family, but that’s not happening this year so we’re gonna have a small intimate gathering, maybe just my intimate family and a couple of other people, just to keep it small.