Learning through lockdowns: an international student perspective From China to Melbourne to South Korea and back to Melbourne, MLC Year 12 student and boarder Hanbi Zhao has overcome the challenges of COVID-19 with impressive positivity.
Hanbi returned to MLC in January 2021 and has enjoyed this year’s mix of face-to-face and online learning.
“When the coronavirus hit, I left Australia and completed Year 11 from my grandmother’s home in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea,” Hanbi explains.
Hanbi says she was attracted to MLC because of all the cocurricular and student leadership opportunities.
“During Melbourne’s lockdowns, my experience was similar to MLC students who were in Australia, except that there was a time difference, so I needed to be up and organised early!” However with international borders closed, Hanbi remained in South Korea throughout 2020, even as students in Melbourne were able to return to face-to-face learning. “When students returned to learning on campus, I appreciated the efforts that my MLC teachers made to ensure I was still included in lessons. They would make sure I was involved and understood the content, and would also provide me with extra one-on-one time after class if I needed it. “MLC’s wellbeing program was also a big help. I really appreciated that my Tutor and Boarding House teachers contacted me regularly, to check in and see how I was going.” Hanbi, who is completing the VCE at MLC this year, says she found social isolation the hardest part about remote learning overseas. “I really missed my day and boarding friends. Even though we would speak a lot while I was in South Korea, I was desperate to get back to see them in Melbourne!” she says.
“It’s been nice to have my boarding family around during lockdowns, when we haven’t been able to attend classes in person.”
“Last year I was House Swimming Captain for Berry and this year I am a Boarding House Big Sister and on the 2021 House Committee. We’ve lost a lot over 2020 and 2021 but I am still very grateful for all the opportunities MLC has provided me.”
“When students returned to learning on campus, I appreciated the efforts that my MLC teachers made to ensure I was still included in lessons.” Hanbi Zhao, Year 12 student and boarder
Pictured (L-R): Year 12 students Hanbi Zhao, Jeanette Yang, Shut Yan Chan and Zimo Zhu enjoy the sunshine outside the Boarding House.
8 The Star November 2021
