What It Was Like to Be a Student Abroad When COVID-19 Was Declared a Pandemic

"I was so shocked. Seeing that WHO had declared a pandemic was mind-blowing."

15 May 2020

While many of us are getting used to living and working in isolation while staying home, PhD student Jessica Serbu is already a pro. A graduate student in the Department of Biological Sciences, Jessica studies glacial melt, water quality, and carbon dioxide cycling in water through field work in the Rocky Mountains and the Arctic.

A typical research trip for Jessica means weeks without virtual or in-person contact with others. Her days involve hiking between locations, collecting water samples, and analyzing results back in her tent. Jessica finds the isolated nature of her work peaceful and a welcome retreat from the busyness of everyday life.

Read the rest of Jessica's story on the YouAlberta blog!