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Jasmine Koria Post 1

• 18 February 2025, 1:53 AM • Edited by the author on 18 February 2025, 1:54 AM

...my internet connection (and costs) were too overwhelming

One experience that I've had many times, and which many of my colleagues in the developing Pacific will be able to relate to, has been the struggle to consistently access online learning resources and classes because of limited internet connectivity in certain areas on my island. I've struggled with this, in fact, not only in an academic setting, but with relation to joining online conferences, attending online job interviews and even, being on the other end of the continuum and having to deal with my own students being unable to access learning resources. 

It's a frustrating thing- being very eager to learning, and knowing you have the potential to excel greatly in your studies or work, but there's this huge barrier that you can't overcome, and which exists by no fault or choice of your own. 

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Linda Leonie Jewell Post 2 in reply to 1

• 19 February 2025, 8:49 AM

Jasmine, I can identify with this. I sometimes prepare several different ways of connecting: for example, fibre and a hotspot on a different network. This usually means that I can get connected, albeit late. I am not sure if this would work in your setting? 

I remember the news story about the volcanic eruption in the south Pacific causing a complete loss of communication with the island closest to the volcano! 


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Margaux Ronquillo Post 3 in reply to 1

• 21 February 2025, 3:33 PM

Hi Jasmine and Linda, I can totally resonate with this situation.

I lived in the Philippines for a bit and I had to opt for an expensive internet connection in my flat just so I can access coursework materials (that I was studying at that time) or any other online learning I signed up for properly. Good thing is I am a bit of a techie so I knew which wi-fi router to get and where to place it, I was then able to maximise the internet speeds I was allocated (not sure how it is nowadays but they used to cap data plans too!).

Also, as that part of the world can get inundated by typhoons or earthquakes, internet connection and electricity can get unstable. I used to have an uninterrupted power supply/surge protector (another expense) for my PC in case the power goes out. For back up internet connection, I got a plan for my mobile that I can easily top up with a good amount of data and installed a wi-fi card in my laptop so I can connect via my mobile phone and use its data to get web access.

It definitely takes a lot of effort (and money!) to get the right set up and back up settings :D