For many, a chance to study in Italy would be a dream. Fears over the coronavirus, which is spreading through the Mediterranean country, have made it more like a nightmare for some. 

One woman who is in the middle of the situation is Weyburn, SK's Kate Andrews. Working on her masters’ degree in green management, energy and corporate social responsibility at the University of Bocconi in Milan. The historic city lies in the middle of a cluster of cities that are under lockdown over fears of the coronavirus. 

Over the past few days, the situation has had a direct impact on her studies.

“I just got an email from my school, it was late Saturday night, telling us classes would be suspended for the week,” explained Andrews, reached via Messenger in Milan. Aside from the classes at the university being cancelled, there have been other impacts that Andrews has seen first hand.

Grocery stores in Milan, and much of Italy, have been picked over. (photo courtesy Kate Andrews)“Grocery stores have been picked over, there's lots of empty shelves, people in the streets wearing masks, things like that.”

Andrews captured the scene of the empty shelves with photos, as residents of the city stockpile non-perishable goods in preparation of a worst-case scenario.

Despite the fears, the Weyburn native isn’t looking to come home anytime soon. She explained there has been no contact from the Canadian government concerning evacuating citizens from Italy as of yet.

“At this point, I could still just book a ticket and fly home; my Canadian colleague did that yesterday,” Andrews added. “For now, I’m hoping to stay here. I’m hopeful my classes will start up again next week, if not, as soon as possible.”

Some of the communities that are under lockdown in Italy include the city of Cogdogno, which lies just 60 kilometres south of Milan. Andrews said while Milan itself wasn’t under a lockdown, anyone who has been to one of the dozen or so towns which have been shuttered to self-isolate themselves to help prevent the spread of the disease.