My Chinese name is Su Ali ( Gaforzoda Suhaylii ) , a student from Tajikistan, majoring in clinical medicine at Shanghai University of Health and Medicine Science(SUHMS). Tajikistan is my hometown, However, I didn't feel like I am in a foreign land in Shanghai. I’m very pleased to share my experience during the epidemic, because it is one of the best experiences in my life.
In March 2022, the epidemic spread quietly in Shanghai. At that time, several of us international students who lived off-campus were interns at Zhoupu Hospital, leaving early and returning late. I met an uncle who often greeted me in Zhoupu Hospital. He saw me wearing white cloth and asked if I work here, and I said “yes, I study and practice in the hospital as SUHMS international student”, and then he encouraged me to work hard.
Afterwards, when the epidemic started, the neighborhood committee called me one afternoon and asked, "Hello, you are Su Ali, right? Are you an international student at SUHMS? " I replied yes. He said to me: "We need medical staff now, and would you like to be a volunteer to help? " As a medical student of SUHMS, it is our university motto to be virtuous and kind, and make people healthy. Without thinking, I replied: "I am very willing to do that". At the beginning, several medical student volunteers and I were responsible for doing nucleic acid collection in the community. Because it was the first time to be a volunteer, we encountered a big problem: lack of protective clothing. But the situation was very special at that time, we discussed the solution, then we started the job.
After every nucleic acid collection, all the people in the community, regardless of the elderly, young or children, would say words of thanks to me. I am really very proud, because what I have learned can really help others, and the kind of indescribable feeling of pride arises spontaneously.
During the epidemic, I also met many friends in the community. They took good care of us, and everyone was willing to help me, such as sending me some vegetables and a lot of food. There were also some supplies for the volunteers because of our selfless dedication. When the neighbors had more supplies, they would share them with us, and I found a feeling of hometown here. Because of their cooperation, everything ended smoothly. This also gave me a good experience, not only life experience, but also my medical professional experience which improved me a lot. During the time, many people in the community asked me for help to give injections to small animals. These are the stories I experienced during the epidemic, each of which makes me very warm. Regardless of life or medical technology, there are different perceptions and improvements for me.
The epidemic has gradually faded away. However, a heart of a foreigner is always warm in Shanghai.
