Should My Daughter Go Back to Berkeley for her final year? She is reading (federal, compared)

[davdaven]

I have been going to Berkeley to pick up takeout, go for walks, and that sort of thing. The downtown and campus areas are very quiet right now. Mainly the homeless are out, and it's kind of depressing. The other neighborhoods are normal-ish.

Many restaurants are still open, and it's possible to meet friends in parks to socialize. Right now the big risk is socializing indoors, or outdoors without proper protections, in larger groups. There have been COVID-19 outbreaks at UC Berkeley related to frat parties and that sort of thing. So if those parties are on her bucket list, then no, she should not come. But if she follows social distancing guidelines, why not? Just don't expect the lively campus and community life that existed until March of this year.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by Samerdal

25 is just a number. To me, she is my baby.

This is sweet. While on the one hand, it's easy to understand, that probably most French young people would jump at the chance to experience life in California, due to the pandemic restrictions, the experience would probably be disappointing.

I checked the news from UAE on their Covid situation. They seem to be handling it on an advanced level, compared to the US. Furthermore, astonishingly, the pandemic seems to have brought about a UAE/Israeli scientific collaboration! That's amazing! So, it IS possible for humanity to work together for a common goal during a crisis! ...in spite of the efforts of some elements to pull different sectors apart. We're not doing very well at all in the working-together department, over here in the US.

[2sleepy]

Originally Posted by Samerdal

I was telling her the same. Her 2nd year journey will not be complete because of this.
We are in the UAE. Time management is not a problem.
Ture. But you do not know the parents feelings
25 is just a number. To me, she is my baby.

Indeed, and she always will be

[vunderbar]

The Bay Area is one of the most beautiful urban spots in all of the U.S.

It's a magical combination of water, hills, big city culture and academic life. It is optimistic, energetic, a little silly (sometimes more than a little!) but always beautiful and exciting. I understand your daughter not wanting to miss out on all of this.

Yes, school will be on line, and many of her friends from her first year program may not be in Berkeley. BUT, others will be in town. Tens of thousands of local residents will still be there, trying to make a bad situation bearable. If any place can do it, it's Berkeley (and the surrounding towns/cities.) Covid is taken very seriously in Berkeley and San Francisco: that's because most of the locals and their political leaders are smart. They understand and respect science.

Berkeley in 2020 will be very different than Berkeley in 2019. But it's still BERKELEY. A thrilling place to be. If your daughter wants to return and you can afford it, I would encourage you to consider it.

Just so you know, my daughter is only a little bit older than yours. We live in Colorado. She is finishing her doctorate (not in California) and will be applying for academic positions later this year. San Francisco is her top choice. I have no problem with her choice, feel confident she will be "safe" and hope she ends up there because I too love it.

Good luck to both of you!

[Samerdal]

Originally Posted by davdaven

I have been going to Berkeley to pick up takeout, go for walks, and that sort of thing. The downtown and campus areas are very quiet right now. Mainly the homeless are out, and it's kind of depressing. The other neighborhoods are normal-ish.

Many restaurants are still open, and it's possible to meet friends in parks to socialize. Right now the big risk is socializing indoors, or outdoors without proper protections, in larger groups. There have been COVID-19 outbreaks at UC Berkeley related to frat parties and that sort of thing. So if those parties are on her bucket list, then no, she should not come. But if she follows social distancing guidelines, why not? Just don't expect the lively campus and community life that existed until March of this year.

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

This is sweet. While on the one hand, it's easy to understand, that probably most French young people would jump at the chance to experience life in California, due to the pandemic restrictions, the experience would probably be disappointing.

I checked the news from UAE on their Covid situation. They seem to be handling it on an advanced level, compared to the US. Furthermore, astonishingly, the pandemic seems to have brought about a UAE/Israeli scientific collaboration! That's amazing! So, it IS possible for humanity to work together for a common goal during a crisis! ...in spite of the efforts of some elements to pull different sectors apart. We're not doing very well at all in the working-together department, over here in the US.

Originally Posted by 2sleepy

Indeed, and she always will be

Originally Posted by vunderbar

The Bay Area is one of the most beautiful urban spots in all of the U.S.

It's a magical combination of water, hills, big city culture and academic life. It is optimistic, energetic, a little silly (sometimes more than a little!) but always beautiful and exciting. I understand your daughter not wanting to miss out on all of this.

Yes, school will be on line, and many of her friends from her first year program may not be in Berkeley. BUT, others will be in town. Tens of thousands of local residents will still be there, trying to make a bad situation bearable. If any place can do it, it's Berkeley (and the surrounding towns/cities.) Covid is taken very seriously in Berkeley and San Francisco: that's because most of the locals and their political leaders are smart. They understand and respect science.

Berkeley in 2020 will be very different than Berkeley in 2019. But it's still BERKELEY. A thrilling place to be. If your daughter wants to return and you can afford it, I would encourage you to consider it.

Just so you know, my daughter is only a little bit older than yours. We live in Colorado. She is finishing her doctorate (not in California) and will be applying for academic positions later this year. San Francisco is her top choice. I have no problem with her choice, feel confident she will be "safe" and hope she ends up there because I too love it.

Good luck to both of you!

Thank you very much. My daughter took her final decision, she decided to stay here with us and go back to Berkeley in May 2021 for graduation. These are her reasons (after listening to us and read your comments in here, read online, discussed with friends, etc), and it is totally her decision.

1- Most of her friends are not going back to Berkeley, her best friends included. So she if she goes, she will be staying alone most of the time.

2- Catching Covid will be a problem if she is by herself, far away from home.

3- No Campus activities, no seminars (only online), no parties or the usual things she wanna do...

Again, it is her decision. we as parents are happy she is staying with us.

[vunderbar]

Originally Posted by Samerdal

Again, it is her decision. we as parents are happy she is staying with us.

And I as a parent understand why you are happy she is staying with you. All parents are alike Wishing your daughter the best - and wishing all of you a great May 2021 visit to Berkeley.

[Samerdal]

Originally Posted by vunderbar

And I as a parent understand why you are happy she is staying with you. All parents are alike Wishing your daughter the best - and wishing all of you a great May 2021 visit to Berkeley.

Thank you

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by Samerdal

Thank you very much. My daughter took her final decision, she decided to stay here with us and go back to Berkeley in May 2021 for graduation. These are her reasons (after listening to us and read your comments in here, read online, discussed with friends, etc), and it is totally her decision.

1- Most of her friends are not going back to Berkeley, her best friends included. So she if she goes, she will be staying alone most of the time.

2- Catching Covid will be a problem if she is by herself, far away from home.

3- No Campus activities, no seminars (only online), no parties or the usual things she wanna do...

Again, it is her decision. we as parents are happy she is staying with us.

Congratulations to the entire family! I like the compromise aspect of it, where she decided to attend her graduation ceremony. (If they have one.) I would not assume that Covid will be over in Spring of 2021. She can re-evaluate over the winter, and check with the university, to see if they'll have a ceremony.

[Samerdal]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

Congratulations to the entire family! I like the compromise aspect of it, where she decided to attend her graduation ceremony. (If they have one.) I would not assume that Covid will be over in Spring of 2021. She can re-evaluate over the winter, and check with the university, to see if they'll have a ceremony.

Thank you Ruth. Covid is not going to disappear before a cure as we all heard. Yes, attending the graduation ceremony is not guaranteed yet. We are hoping for the best.

[roodd279]

The situation is bad in the US and it doesn't appear to be getting better any time soon.


It's not getting better soon, because that was the point of flatten the curve. It's not "bad" - it's about average. But the whole thing is "bad" so I'll agree with that.



For the OP - your daughter's chances (and anyone's for that matter) of getting COVID are very - very - low despite what you hear on the news. YES it's big "numbers" - but the USA is a huge country, so the big "numbers" are a tiny percent.


That's not to say it's not serious, that it does not exist, or that you can't get seriously ill - you can - but (assuming she's in decent health) - she has a greater chance of being injured in a car on the way to or from the airport. You really shouldn't fret over this.