July 18, 2018, by studentcontributor

Home away from home

“Eye opening”, “challenging”, “incredulous” are some words I would use to describe living away from home from the first time. There are many immediate contemplations most first-years would feel before coming to university. Living away from the luxuries of our own homes, facing the dares of managing oneself and studying a myriad of modules; is this what one comes to university for? Did we work so hard in school to get drowned in an even bigger calamity?

This, and many more could be our inner voice cautioning us as a Fresher. However, as it’s correctly said, “Your comfort zone is a place where you keep yourself in a self-illusion and nothing can grow but your potentiality can grow only when you can think and grow out of that zone.”

Trust me, amidst all our apprehension, anxiety and fears; the University of Nottingham is one place where we feel your own from day one – a home away from home. Whether it is the Students’ Union, the social clubs or simply your caring professors and seniors, all as though have come together to support us, accept us and help us feel our foot in this paradise of learning.

Having lived a relatively sheltered life in Malaysia, I had never had this level of independence, and more so, responsibility before. I reckon the biggest change was to plan and then cook every meal by myself, making me realise the grave importance of getting your 5-a-day and following the guidelines of the Eat-Well-Guide. These were all foreign concepts to me. Everything was so new. The people, the food, the culture. It gave a whole new meaning to being an adaptable lifelong learner which is a prerequisite to any 3^rd culture kid

Even though I had no kith or kin in UK, I know what I have relished each day was something very special. Commencing with Fresher’s Week, International Orientation with various medic’s clubs and societies under one roof, the bank, the bus routes – everything seemed to be in place all courtesy to the meticulous planning put in place by the university and the students. Honestly, although academic studies have been quite tough and daunting at times, there have also  been numerous moments of solace such as playing in the Badminton Society or organizing art lessons for the children and spending time with students without age, culture or course bar.

I assure you, you are at the right place if you want the perfect mix of education yet fun and being away from home and yet, a feeling of homely care. Try to enjoy each day and be assured, there are many systems in place- all there to help every step of the journey.

 

Contributor: Cherry Roy for WAMS

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