LELAND, N.C. -- Asami Minei arrived in North Carolina just three months before the pandemic began. She came to the U.S. looking to broaden her educational experience, but never expected a pandemic to get in the way.

She's an international student from Japan studying for her master's degree in geoscience at the University of North Carolina - Wilmington. Minei had high hopes for her time in Wilmington before COVID-19 brought everything to a screeching halt.

“I was so excited to explore this town, Wilmington,” said Minei. “And go to the beach every week and learn how to surf. But everything happened. I was just really really disappointed.”

Returning to Japan to be with her family was not an option even though all of her classes were moved online. If she left the U.S., she would have to quarantine for two weeks upon arriving in Japan and then another two when she returned to North Carolina.

Thankfully, Minei had an internship this summer with the Town of Leland and it's one of the few still operating in person. She was given the opportunity to work remotely from home, but chose to come into the office for the benefits of being able to learn directly under her supervisor.

“My supervisor takes care of me a lot,” said Minei. “I really appreciate to have somebody who's right with you.”

She's spent the last few months creating Geographic Information Systems or interactive maps for the town's website. Minei is simply happy that she's been able to surround herself with people and fill the gap created by the pandemic.

“I don't really get to see my friends and family,” said Minei. “I couldn't really go back to my home country so that's why it's really good to be here because there are people around me.”

She does consider herself more fortunate than the many international students who either can't come to the U.S. or can't get scholarships because all their classes are online.

At this point, all of her courses this fall are scheduled to be in person, but she wouldn't be surprised if they end up remote. Her major can be done online, but she said there is no substitute to learning in person and in the field.