With the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, we are grateful for all the frontliners who work tirelessly to help those affected. While the media regularly features those who provide essential services, typically in healthcare and transport, let us not forget NUS’s own Resident Fellows (RF) and Resident Advisors (RAD) who cared for students who had to undergo quarantine.
At NUS, RADs and RFs act as mentors, community builders and even incident commanders in emergencies. When COVID-19 struck, their responsibility to keep their wards safe was more important than ever.
Three members of the NUS Business School community shared their experiences with BIZBeat. The trio view their roles as part of their service to the University that has played a big part in shaping their lives and careers.
• Joon Xin Ting, Assistant Manager, Strategic Relations. She is an RF with Kent Ridge Hall;
• Jothi S., Manager, Department of Marketing. She is an RAD at Prince George’s Park Residences (PGPR); and
• Senior Lecturer Usa Skulkerewathana, Department of Management & Organisation. She was an RAD at UTown Residence (UTR).
An unnerving experience
Back in January, when the global situation was escalating, many students returned to the halls and residences from their overseas exchanges. They had to stay in their rooms for 14 days as part of the quarantine measures required by the government.
While the Singaporean students had the option of returning to their homes for their quarantine, the international students had to stay in residences or halls. “This can be an unnerving experience as the students were not able to go anywhere. Furthermore, they were away from their families and loved ones,” said Usa.
A friendly voice
With the situation rapidly evolving, many students felt uncertain about their studies and their futures. Infected cases were rising each day in countries across the region. Authorities were uncovering cross-border transmission and there were rumours of national borders being shut down.
Xin Ting, Jothi and Usa had to ensure the students’ physical and mental well-being. Often, a simple conversation made a world of difference.
With social distancing rules in place, the trio had to connect with the students using phone and video calls, and offer a listening ear. They used the opportunity to make sure the students are ok and have everything they need.
“This simple act helped to soothe their anxieties. Details of these conversations are also kept confidential so students felt more open to share their challenges,” said Jothi. She would also provide standard health advice like wearing masks and washing hands.
Xin Ting and Usa said that being approachable and helpful during their day-to-day interactions with the students before the pandemic ensured that the students would readily open up to them. “I see myself more like a big sister to the students, but also the one who mentors, advises and guides,” said Xin Ting.
It also helped that Jothi and Usa have children and could relate to the students’ anxieties. “I always think if residents in need were my children, what I would do for them,” said Usa.
“It is so important to be compassionate during tough times,” added Jothi.
Delivering on community spirit
Jothi and Usa also manage a team of Resident Assistants (RAs) each. The RAs helped deliver lunches and dinners to over 1,000 individuals staying in PGPR and UTR blocks during their quarantine.
“This was our important routine,” according to Usa. “To ensure warm meals for the students, we literally ran to deliver them.”
“These RAs are an example of the University’s community spirit,” noted Jothi. “They stayed on to care for their peers as they wanted to fulfil their responsiblities as Resident Assistants,” she said.
The exercise ended when the government began converting PGPR to quarantine quarters for recovering migrant workers in early March. The students and Jothi had to move to residences elsewhere within NUS.
“Looking back, I’m grateful there were no infections among my students. As for what the future holds, who knows? But this experience has made me stronger and ready to cope with new challenges. I told my Resident Assistants, ‘Let’s be ready for anything!’” Jothi concluded.