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When Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica as a Category 5 hurricane on Tuesday, October 25, 2025, around 1 p.m., I was exactly 1,632 miles away in the comfort of my residence hall at the AV������. Even being that far, the storm felt close – stirring the same fear and unease inside me that my family and friends were feeling back home. As I sat in my room, safe from all the turmoil, I was unable to focus on my classes; even though my body was here, my mind and heart were back home.

My entire family was in Jamaica across many different parishes, some in areas that were directly hit by the storm. I have never experienced so many different emotions all at once: fear, worry, guilt, and helplessness. There was nothing I could do but wait. Every time I received a notification, I hoped it was news that everyone was safe, but for hours, sometimes longer, I was just greeted with silence.

I wanted to get an idea of how other Jamaicans living abroad were coping, so I spoke with a few of my friends here at the AV������. Mikhael Seepersaud ’27, a Forensic Science major, shared how difficult it was to follow the news from afar.

“To be honest, I didn’t want to be extremely up to date with everything that was going on, because it’s very scary and very depressing, especially being so far, and you feel like you can’t do anything to help,” she said. Even though her home in Kingston was relatively safe, the uncertainty of what was happening in other areas made it hard to focus on her studies or daily life.

Paris Taylor ’28, a Communication major with a concentration in Film Production and Media Entrepreneurship, described a different kind of struggle. She tracked the hurricane obsessively, as well as checking weather apps and social media constantly to stay connected.

“I spent most of my time on social media to be present while being considerate of my friends because I wanted to talk to them more, but I knew light was going to go, etc.,” she explained, as she normally speaks to her friends back home every day or every other day. Even with minor damage to her own home, the thought of what individuals who live on the west side of the country were going through made it difficult for her to concentrate on her schoolwork or daily responsibilities.

For both Mikhael and Paris, the emotional toll of the hurricane was more than fear. Mikhael stated that even though she was in contact with her family, the anxiety and helplessness was still overwhelming, while Paris admitted that she felt guilty for not being there in person. “I feel like a piece of me felt a little guilty for not being there. So, I decided that the least I could do was just stay updated on what was happening,” Paris said.

Meanwhile, back in Jamaica, my family experienced the hurricane firsthand. Although the parish they live in did not suffer the worst physical damage, the hurricane’s force was terrifying. When I asked about what it was like, I was told that, “the wind was fierce, howling. Trees in the area were bending to its force.”

Individuals who lived in the eastern parishes suffered from survivors’ guilt when they saw images and videos of the devastation that took place in the western parishes. The days after the hurricane brought new challenges, even in areas that avoided the worst damage. My family also described how difficult it was not hearing for two days from families who lived in the western parishes due to loss of signal.

Despite the destruction, resilience was displayed. When I asked what message they would want people outside of Jamaica to understand, they said, “What we went through doesn’t even compare to what the western parishes went through. Be grateful, always.”

For those of us abroad, the hurricane reinforced the distance between home and where we are physically present, but it also strengthened our connection. Paris reflected that while it made her sad to be far from home, focusing on her studies was a way she could still serve her country in the long term. Mikhael emphasized that even with anxiety and guilt, it was okay to emotionally manage how much you follow the disaster without feeling overwhelmed.

In the end, Hurricane Melissa was a stark reminder of how unpredictable nature can be, and the power of resilience. For me, this experience was deeply personal and emotional, highlighting how closely our hearts can remain tied to home, no matter the distance. Yet, it also showed the strength in community – friends checking in, families supporting one another, and the spirit of Jamaicans rebuilding and moving forward.

Even after all this destruction, there is hope, and distance cannot break the bonds that we share with our family and friends. Sharing this experience, whether we are physically present or not, brings us closer in ways that geography never could.