journeys-page

It is such a joy to connect with you again after a long time. I am very happy to let you know that I was successfully able to complete my first year of seminary. This spring semester was not what I expected, but I thank God that I was able to finish it in one piece. When the pandemic hit, we moved to remote learning. Because of this change, the school gave us an option to choose “pass” or “no record” instead of a letter grade. This decision was meant to help students not to worry about failing while adjusting to the new system. We were also given an option to request a letter grade if needed. So, I decided to ask for a letter grade for all my classes. The reason I requested for a letter grade was to help me be motivated about learning and doing my work. I did not want to just pass my classes, but I wanted to do my best. Thank God, I managed to get good grades in all my classes. I was planning to do my field education during this summer. Due to the pandemic, that did not happen. All the placement sites I applied to cancelled their summer programs. So I just stayed here in Evanston.  I stayed in the dorms on campus. Even though everything shut down, I was able to participate and make a video for the children’s chapel at First UMC Evanston. I also was part of some book discussions. The books discussed were Just Mercy and White Fragility. I have also spent time watching the news, movies, and documentaries. I am excited to start the fall semester in September. I am grateful that I will be able to stay here and learn online. As you might know, international students were shaken in early July when ICE declared that we were not allowed to stay in the US if our schools were going to operate remotely. I am very grateful that this changed, and I can peacefully stay here and learn online. I will be taking four classes this fall and will be an intern at First UMC Evanston, working with children and youth. I am looking forward to that. I am very grateful for all your help, support, and encouragement. I am looking forward to the time that I will be among you again! –Pauline Shongo