My husband and I decided to stay in our studio in Escondido Village when the shelter-in-place was announced. We believed our time at Stanford was not finished yet. Even though we miss our family back in Peru, we count our blessings every day.  We have breathtaking views of the sunset from our window, we go running and cycling almost every day, we enjoy sunny days in the garden, and we continue learning and sharing with wonderful people.

Being here has also allowed me to gather different perspectives about the situation of education systems. I am a strong advocate of inclusive education, and I think this situation has forced the entire world to acknowledge inequities and to find innovative ways to reach every child. I believe this is an opportunity to rethink the role of the school, to prioritize the value of teachers, and to transform the system based on students’ needs. At the end of the day, happiness is not found in the books but in the purposeful meaning of our lives. That is what students deserve—to find learning communities that help them shine their own unique way.

Daniela Gamboa is a master’s student studying international education policy analysis at Stanford Graduate School of Education.