Many youth, including RIETI – Rieti, are spending a quarantine period away from their homes. It is also that 23-year-old student Giorgio Milsimi has been passing in Scotland since August. We met him at the beginning of his experience at the prestigious University of St Andrews to study literature, and since then Milcimi has made Scotland his new home, unlike many others, not returning their loved ones to quarantine Decided to do. The emergency Coronavirus.
Giorgio Milsimi enters the prestigious University of St Andrews in Rieti, Scotland: “Literature is life for me thanks to me”
Milcimi, despite the possibility of Riti returning at the start of an emergency, would have been difficult to decide to live in in Scotland…
“Yes, initially I was very illiterate whether to return to Italy or stay in Scotland. Whatever news I read from home may be anything but reassuring, many times it is not easy to get away in this way and you feel troubles while deciding what to do. However, I have chosen to live here in St. Andrews, where I study, and wait for the situation to improve in both before moving on. ‘
Do you often hear from your parents and friends from Rieti?
“I call my parents every day and obviously my first thoughts go to them and my friends. I am not very concerned about my health, I am following all the quarantine procedures very carefully and I go out only once a week to go shopping. The bad thing about this virus is that it reminds us that there are things that we do not have the power to intervene, and one of the dramatic historical conditions we are experiencing ”.
Do you think Scotland and the whole of the UK are adequately managing the situation? Do the population react well or have they seen scenes of disorder?
“The city of St. Andrews has handled the crisis very well. If we know how much criticism the UK has had for taking longer to take appropriate measures, I do not deny that here in St Andrews, which is a very small reality, I always felt safe. There was immediate attention and foresight to the danger hovering over the horizon and the University has always ensured that we make students feel safe and protected. I must say that, apart from the supermarket, where it was initially difficult to find some basic necessities, I have seen scenes of great civilization. Certainly very different from the images and news that came from London at the beginning of the crisis, a city where life seemed as if nothing had happened… ».
In Europe, Italy was the first country to have suffered a serious attack from the virus. Did it affect the way people believe? Did you feel “discriminated” in a certain sense or was there understanding and sympathy?
“I have always received support and understanding from everyone. Both friends and professors always took interest and asked me if my loved ones at home were alright: I was lucky because I always got a lot of support from everyone ».
From what you have learned from the news about the Italian situation, in your opinion are there significant differences in managing the problem?
“I believe the situation in the United Kingdom and Italy is similar at this time in terms of measures to prevent the virus. Do not leave the house unless strictly necessary (ie to shop or go to the pharmacy). It is still allowed to run, cycle or cycle in open air once a day, whereas in Italy I feel that it is no longer allowed, but otherwise we are in similar situations. Here it was late to arrive at an option to shut everything down and prevent people from leaving their homes: Great Britain entered the lockdown period on 23 March, compared to Italy so many days later. I must say that I am very calm because the situation here is also taken with the same seriousness, as elsewhere, before I feel very uncertain whether to stay in Britain or not, as the government feels drastic steps Were not raised, but now I know it was a wise choice to stay “.
Even his institute has adapted with online lessons and exams which I think …
“My university has turned to online learning and is doing very well so far. We use a platform where we can connect via video call and take lessons from home. The real major difficulty for our students is that, clearly, all libraries are closed, so it is very difficult to access resources for study, as I have not been digitized to consult all sources. But this is the least of the problems and I am really thankful that all my professors have shown themselves to be very understanding towards us and have come to meet us.
Are other tenants in your home away from home? I feel that despite the difficulties, a good atmosphere has been created between you …
“I am very lucky that I am not going through quarantine with my friend Oskar. He too has decided not to go home, he is from Belgium, and we are keeping company here in St. Andrews. Sharing quarantine with a close friend makes it enjoyable and never restrictive, we have our routine based on studies but we also have many moments of leisure, so we are in a good position. Being abroad in this difficult moment really makes a difference with a trusted friend ».
A message from Scotland for Rieti?
«Our city is a part of me and I feel connected to our roots especially in this fragile period of crisis we are going through. As our favorite scholar Domenico Petrini said: “Feet in the village, head in the world”. I never felt connected to this image before. My heart beats for our village, even from so far away. Hug everyone! “.
Last update: 15:16
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