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My experience going to college during a pandemic

The pandemic has been a difficult time for everyone. From the loss of jobs, lack of opportunities to safely socialize, and more, people around the world felt the impact of the pandemic. As I finish up my junior year, I realize that I learned quite a bit from taking in-person classes at college during a pandemic.

Photo by Charlotte May from Pexels

1. Teamwork is extremely important

As expected, there were a few outbreaks on campus throughout the semester. However, COVID-19 cases almost always spiked as a result of students failing to follow safety guidelines. Even when a majority of students follow the safety guidelines, the failure of a few students to do so will still lead to outbreaks on campus. It was essential for students to work together to prevent others from getting sick. We were able to effectively work together as a school to stop the spread, finishing the school year with two successful semesters in-person.

Photo by Charlotte May from Pexels

2. Planning your days helps you get a lot done

Being on campus always helped me focus more, but when the pandemic was factored in, I sometimes found it difficult to focus on my studies. In addition, since many of my classes were still virtual, the amount of work I had to do out of class was overwhelming. I realized that if I made deadlines for myself, I got work done in a more efficient manner. Planning your day really makes a difference in productivity.

Photo by Nicole Michalou from Pexels

3. It’s okay to give yourself a break

It’s frustrating when you’ve been working for a long time and get nothing done. This was something that I experienced often while at school. Due to the pandemic, there were a lot fewer activities to participate in. In addition, interaction with friends in other housing areas was occasionally not allowed depending on the number of cases on campus. As someone who relies on social interaction with friends as a refreshing break, this was very difficult for me. I found new ways to effectively give myself breaks such as cooking or baking, watching TV, and going on walks around campus.

 

Photo by Samantha Doria

4. Be thankful for what you have

Before the pandemic, I found myself living in the future instead of enjoying the present. Being at college during the pandemic taught me to enjoy every fun moment I had like it was my last. When I was able to safely spend time with my friends, I cherished these opportunities. Even if my junior year was not what I had hoped for, I am thankful for the experience I had.

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Senhoa ChinTwins-Clarity Collection

When our CEO Grace A. Capobianco heard about the positive aid coming from the Senhoa Jewelry 2017 launch, designed by Cristen Barker and Kimmy Hise (ChinTwins) with one mission in mind, sharing a common goal from the Senhoa brand’s  undertaking. This very important mission to help and protect women, and to combat human trafficking, a mission to stay-off the exploitation of women and children in Cambodia, we knew we had to bring this important message to our readers. 

“Woman” – we are stronger together we can and will overcome anything put in our way” Grace A. Capobianco

Senhoa is thrilled to launch its latest women’s jewelry collection designed by yoga-influencers Cristen Barker and Kimmy Hise, ChinTwins. Sales from the 2017 Clarity Collection will help provide safe employment to survivors of human trafficking in Cambodia.Senhoa provides assistance, education, training and opportunities to women and girls who are at-risk or have survived human trafficking and sexual exploitation in Cambodia. Each artisan individually handcrafts every piece of jewelry and 100 percent of the sales goes towards funding Senhoa’s early intervention initiatives. The programs we execute give women and girls income opportunities, life skills, and support platforms that protect them from being vulnerable in the current climate of modern slavery – a hot button issue around the world.

The new Clarity Collection by the ChinTwins has a simple yet elegant aesthetic with delicate chains and hints of Swarovski crystals. The line features versatile body jewelry, unique earrings and a drop necklace, as well as two scented wood yoga-inspired pieces, a bracelet and Mala necklace.

The Collection speaks to the mind,body and spirit with an intention to empower the women of Cambodia who create each piece, to enrich their children with hope and emancipate them from the hardships they face. The campaign was curated and photographed by famed photographer and long time Senhoa champion Nigel Barker who shares his thoughts on the organization and new collection. “Ever since I first heard of Senhoa’s mission photographing supermodel Coco Rocha’s collection for the brand, I knew my wife and sister-in-law would be a perfect fit. I observed how hard they worked on the collection, pouring their heart and soul into every detail, and this inspired me personally to help bring it to life in a unique and powerful way. Love and humility is at the center of the ChinTwins mantra. And despite their modest demeanor, trust me when I say I have never met two more empowered women, which is perfectly in line with the Senhoa philosophy.”

 

“We have long admired the important work that Senhoa continues to do to combat human trafficking and the exploitation of women and children in Cambodia. While it’s always been a dream to create a jewelry collection inspired by the graceful lines found in Yoga, what could be better than to know we can give back at the same time? Our 8-piece collection launching this Fall is for all women who want to show the world that they proudly stand against the abuse of women in any situation. We want to create pieces that move and compliment the body highlighting its curves and edges. Each piece has a lightness and sparkle to it and meaning behind it to transform you.

The Clarity Collection speaks to the collaboration between the artisans and us; and we are excited to see how they will handcraft each piece to bring our designs to life. It is a union of women helping other women to find their voice, to discover their path and to ignite their inner light,” states designers Crissy and Kimmy. “Our passion is to create opportunities for survivor artisans to earn an income, share their stories and raise awareness against modern slavery. The unique jewelry is another form of advocacy for the issue,” adds Lisa T.D. NguyenFounder of Senhoa Foundation. Nguyen went on to say, “We loved working with Crissy and Kimmy. They are both incredible mothers and beautiful women, inside and out.”

ABOUT SENHOA- Senhoa (pronounced “suh-no-a”) is a combination of two Vietnamese words – “Sen” (lotus) and “Hoa”(flower). A lotus flower grows in muddy water and rises above the surface to bloom with breathtaking beauty, untouched by its impure surroundings. It is against this precise imagery that “Senhoa” was conceptualized to represent women and children, vulnerable to sexual abuse, exploitation and trafficking.

Senhoa’s mission is to combat human trafficking and sexual exploitation through empowerment, advocacy and prevention programs. The Senhoa brand provides safe and dignified employment for at-risk women and survivor artisans. By purchasing and wearing the jewelry, consumers raise awareness against modern slavery. 100 percent of profits from the Senhoa social business supports education and early intervention initiatives to protect and strengthen underprivileged communities. For more information, please visit senhoa.org.