From Fez to Zurich: Distance between bodies, closeness between hearts (part 2)

Life has never ceased on earth since the Precambrian era; even during times when conditions were extremely severe, life was always able to protect itself in shelters. My room was one of those safe refuges. There I was able to benefit from the time I had to deepen my knowledge of my research subject. I also participated in a lot of online conferences and free training sessions.

Thanks to coronavirus, I became quite an amateur chef; I discovered in myself a talent for preparing delicious meals. Sport and culture had their place in my little room too. I practiced daily warm-ups in order to relieve stress. Time before sleep was the best time to watch movies with happy endings.

It’s the beginning of May; my visa will expire towards the end of the month, and my scholarship money is already running out.

While I’m looking for a solution, Ms. Simona informs me that she’s preparing my new contract, and also trying to find other funding. Mr. Vincenzo tells me that he has explained my situation to Mr. Sean who will give me his support, and that two other researchers are ready to offer me a place in their house if I have difficulty renting. The managers at the Kinderspital didn’t miss the opportunity to express their help either, and confirmed that they can renew the rent contract with a lot of flexibility – something that’s impossible in normal circumstances.

A few days later, Mr. Vincenzo told me that ETH Alumni had kindly agreed to support me after the assembled professors had given their agreement, adding that he strongly defended my case in front of them by proving that I have no other options.

Two weeks later, Ms. Simona and Ms. Michelle surprised me by informing me that ETH Zurich had agreed to grant me 2,000 CHF per month until I was able to return. My heart filled with a mixture of feelings – happiness, motivation and belonging to this great family which strives to unify its individuals in spite of physical distancing.

To keep myself in good mental health, I went out every morning for a run in the forest, and met and chatted with a lot of people there. In the evenings, I usually went down to the lakeside to enjoy the lunar nights.

Mr. Vincenzo kindly invited me a few times to a delicious dinner with him. He always expressed his support, and said once that I’m not lucky, but I shouldn’t be sad because I’m not the only one who had to change his programme. What he didn’t realise at that moment is how lucky I am to have a very kind supervisor like him.

The most important practical part of my exchange was impossible after ETH Zurich closed. We discussed this with Ms. Irka, who confirmed that work in the physics lab was postponed until June 8. But after a few days, she asked me to weigh my coals in the Biogeosciences labs. Ms. Negar said that it was now possible to access the rooms, and a timetable was set up to ensure good planning of room use by team members. So I had an appointment with Ms. Negar, in order to restart my work. She was very kind, patient and helpful.

I accomplished my first task, and then turned my attention to one of the analyses which were programmed – an important technique that will allow us to determine the deposition conditions of the sediments, and thus the necessity of microgranulometric measurements.

Mr. Vincenzo agreed to add these statistical parameters to our research, which we would carry out in the sedilab, and Ms.Yanyan kindly offered to help us, since she had experience of using the necessary machine. She linked us up with Mr. Adrian and Ms. Giuditta, sedimentology team head, who kindly hosted me in her labs. Adi was really generous with his time and taught me how to use the machine.

I was very happy that I could finally reap the fruits of my efforts after several months of inactivity.

By July, the borders had re-opened. At that time, I was just waiting for the settlement of my administrative situation before fixing my departure flight.

My need to return home was crushed by feelings of lacking place, people and emotions. The hopes, solidarity and sacrifices that I experienced at ETH Zurich are among the unforgettable things that marked my memories.

Despite these strange feelings, I was very happy – because although we couldn’t do everything, we did the essential. In terms of my character, I’ve replaced a lot of things by new positive behaviours. Another reason to be proud is that I’ve joined another great family called ETH Zurich, which I was with for more than half a year, but which I’ll belong to for the rest of my life.

As I write these words, the pandemic continues to spread around the world with all its negative but also positive effects. For as the virus attacks more people, so we become stronger. I’ve no doubt that science and hope will dominate at the end; I strongly believe that after the storm come the good times.

Mohammed Lghamour

The thing that keeps me busiest at the moment is: My thesis work
My favourite app is: Duolingo
One book or movie I recommend: Book: The 25th Hour (La Vingt-cinquième Heure) by Constantin Virgil Gheorghiu / Movie : Super 30, an Indian Movie by Vikas Bahl
And if all else fails, my instant pick-me-up is: Classical oriental music, such as Abdel Halim Hafez, or Oum Kalthoum's songs