Memorable Relationships, 262 Days

Classes at MCAD for the 2020–2021 school year concluded on May 12, 2021, after 262 days.

Although students are used to attending classes for 262 days every year at MCAD, none of those days could be compared to the 2020-2021 semester. The pandemic and the new format of virtual learning generates a whole new level of chaotic energy. 

This period actually started way back in March 2020, when our campus shut down due to the sudden growth of COVID-19 and 800 students were faced with full-time online learning for the first time in their life. Students realized that they were entering a new world of learning that was missing a key element: in-person connection.

The thing I look most forward to when going to MCAD is being able to meet new people with the same interests as me. At my high school, I was the only student who decided to major in visual art, and it made me feel like the odd one out. Yet, at MCAD, I feel like I have found a beautiful, talented community. I never visited MCAD before Orientation, and many people have told me that's such a big risk I was taking. But the moment I set foot on campus, I was immediately hugged by one of my roommates. That's when I thought: “Ah, I think I can belong here.”

During my first year, I made so many great memories with so many kind people. When it was announced in March 2020 that I would not be finishing my first year in a traditional way due to online learning, I was concerned I would be missing out on making more of these memories. Therefore, I made a point to keep in contact with my friends no matter what. Through video chat, we had movie nights, a Halloween party, and many random studies sessions together. 

Despite being physically limited, I have also met many great people during my online studies with MCAD.

Organic Conversations

Moving from in-person to online learning can seem strange at first—for some people, I have never seen them before on campus, and for others, I never have a chance to start a conversation. This online format acts as a bridge for me to start a new connection with people. I realized that although I might be reluctant to talk with new people when in a classroom, the online format makes it easier for me to pop in the chat and drop an emoji or just to start some small chat before class begins. I have met some friends that are so chill and kind while studying online. In one of my classes, we were playing Werewolf—similar to Mafia or Among Us where you have to roleplay to find a suspect—and the environment was just so chaotically fun with everyone acting as their characters. I find the online format to be a good way to start chatting with someone, but in the end, I did still miss the in-person format where people can physically connect by sharing the same space as them.

I have reached out to a few friends of mine, some I have met before in person and are an important part of my life, and some I have only talked to during the past 262 days and am hoping to meet them some days soon. They all have cute stories to share about online connections and the importance of human relationships.

Emely E., one of the nicest people I have met during the first year, shares that it's definitely easier to talk virtually if you're shy, but she can't wait to get back to the in-person interactions that enhance the dynamic of the conversations.

A Tight-Knitted Community 

Katelynn Van Dusseldorp, a super nice friend that I’ve got to talk with this year, told me that they think virtual art school makes them become more willing to seek out connections actually since it wasn’t exactly accessible this school year. They say: “I found that the online MCAD community was a lot more tight-knit this year as well as more supportive!” which I totally agree with! The MCAD class of 2021 threw together an in-person exhibition because they couldn't have one at MCAD, and I think that speaks a lot about the student community being there for each other.”

Mitzy Rivas, a chill and supportive friend, tells me a very cute story of how people would talk to her about their dinner plans or their favorite fruits and vegetables: “There was this one lady who would not stop talking about tomatoes but she was so sweet so it was cute. I've had conversations about bands, hair, small villages in Mexico, and ancestry.” She said that she realized during this time period that she actually enjoys talking with people because when she had to get off work due to getting COVID, she started to miss socializing. “Having these short conversations has helped me grow socially.”

Conversations and Stories

Olivia Reinhardt, a very talented friend I met in an illustration class, thinks making friends through virtual format can be easier or harder depending on the person. Personally, she really likes creating online spaces to find friends and make relationships but for others, it can be difficult, especially if you're an incoming first-year with zero experience of how college life will be. I couldn't agree more because I feel very lucky to be able to experience a semester and a half at MCAD before the pandemic moved everything online. That one semester was truly memorable and I met so many new friends. I hope new students who never get to experience MCAD life on campus will be able to do so this upcoming semester.

When asked about non-familial human connections, Ashlynn Micoliczyk tells me she values them a lot. Ashlynn is a very innovative and independent student and she treasures these relationships simply because they can create the coziest moment that can ease your worries: “They help you step back from work and enjoy the little organic conversations with lots of laughs.”

Virtual Connection

One of the most interesting aspects of online learning is connecting with MCAD from different parts of the world. Goretti Ntuba, who might be the nicest person I have met at MCAD, originally came from Cameroon. By pursuing her BFA degree at MCAD, she had to move to Minnesota and hasn’t been able to visit her family in Cameroon for a few years now. Due to this struggle, she depends on the relationships she has made at MCAD. She shares: “These relationships have played a really important role in my life because there are certain interests I might not share with my family and a lot of times friendships start from common interests where you can just freely geek out over stuff.” 

Riley Wright, who also goes by Kylo Ren occasionally among our group of friends, shares that even though attending art school virtually was a challenge, she did gain new relationships through this format. “Breakout rooms and bouncing ideas off of classmates really helped cultivate a new type of community that brought me a lot of comfort and excitement to meet these people next semester on campus.” Riley believes that platonic friendships can be just as important as a family because they are the meaningful relationships that we choose for ourselves. “My friends have been a big piece of my backbone in making it through this school year, and that just makes me even more appreciative and blessed of their kindness.”

Ways of Communication

Knowing everyone’s thoughts on human relationships makes one thing clear: it is possible to make connections virtually, even though it might be a challenge at first. However, I definitely have missed being on-campus in Minneapolis. I kept up with my friends via video/audio calls, text communications, and sending snail mail, and I look forward to reconnecting in Minneapolis as we all return to campus this year. To all my friends: I'm grateful to know you all and I hope that everyone reading this also gained many comforting human connections over the last year and a half. If we meet on campus, feel free to say hi!