When I first realized that the entirety of this quarter would be online, one of my main disappointments was that this class would not be able to go out into the field. Unlike most other classes I’ve taken at UCSD, this class offered a unique opportunity for real-world exposure that I feel is extremely valuable. So not having the opportunity to continue this was disappointing.
However, I think that as with other aspects of life, the virus has taught a lot of us about priorities and flexibility, which I feel this class has not taken lightly. First, due to the nature of the virus as being very hard hitting on seniors, it has only furthered my interest in making our society better for our older generations, and has pushed me to be even more in tune than I would be otherwise. Second, I feel that the structure of this class has shifted effectively, as have the HAPs we were originally planning to do.
For me personally, I am enjoying the willingness of everyone I have interviewed thus far for my project to help out despite this chaotic time: it’s something they don’t have to do, but you can tell that people in this field of healthy aging truly care about their work. I am also enjoying starting the NAP in my own neighborhood, because I feel that more familiarity with a place can often lead to more richness and authenticity. I am also enjoying the second part of our oral history projects, given that the older people in my life most definitely have wisdom I can use right about now.
Overall, I feel lucky to be in the position I am in to continue learning about seniors, despite some disappointment about not being able to visit anyone/anywhere in person.
However, I think that as with other aspects of life, the virus has taught a lot of us about priorities and flexibility, which I feel this class has not taken lightly. First, due to the nature of the virus as being very hard hitting on seniors, it has only furthered my interest in making our society better for our older generations, and has pushed me to be even more in tune than I would be otherwise. Second, I feel that the structure of this class has shifted effectively, as have the HAPs we were originally planning to do.
For me personally, I am enjoying the willingness of everyone I have interviewed thus far for my project to help out despite this chaotic time: it’s something they don’t have to do, but you can tell that people in this field of healthy aging truly care about their work. I am also enjoying starting the NAP in my own neighborhood, because I feel that more familiarity with a place can often lead to more richness and authenticity. I am also enjoying the second part of our oral history projects, given that the older people in my life most definitely have wisdom I can use right about now.
Overall, I feel lucky to be in the position I am in to continue learning about seniors, despite some disappointment about not being able to visit anyone/anywhere in person.