Another new academic session is about to start in the UK and this brings back so many memories. Leaving your country to go to another country is a huge step and can be daunting. It is both an adventure and a learning curve in one's life. I remember all too well my first day in the UK. It was my first time of being away from my family and without having my mum come with me (my mum always followed me almost everywhere I went for support - I kid you not)! I have never done anything on my own without the help of my family especially my mum and I felt empty and alone when I first arrived the UK. I had just lost my dad and felt numb and zombied (if there is a word like that).
So here I was in a different country, all on my own without the help of mummy dearest. One of my first challenges was how to get to the University. I found everyone I met really friendly and very helpful. I was told where to get the bus and where to stop. I noticed that people pressed on something to get the bus driver to stop and also the bus stops in certain places. OK, in Nigeria, if you want the bus to stop, you shouted at the bus conductor and the bus finds a convenient place to stop for you to alight. But here I was on the bus watching people press the bell and then the driver stops at the bus stop. Hmmm, from what I saw, I learnt what to do. So, I knew to press the button when I get to where I want to stop and the bus driver would stop. Magic!
I get to the University area and asked someone where my University was located. They looked at me and said, well you are here! I was used to a University Campus and it was all so strange that the University was so huge that I had to use maps to find the various buildings for lectures!
The weather - Oh the weather! This was an intriguing aspect that took me some time to understand. Ha! I couldn't get my mind to understand why it rained and rained every day. In Nigeria, we have only 2 seasons - the raining season and the dry season. Here I was in the UK around September (dry season in Nigeria) and it was raining! Does it ever stop raining?
Good bargains - I remember having a chat with my new friends and I told them I almost froze the night before and had to go buy a duvet from the hall of residence office and that I spent about £15.00! My friends told me they got theirs for £5.00 and that there was a sale going on. I was shocked! Why didn't I know of this bargain? Well, apparently, it is good to talk and meet with loads of people because they always have useful information. Where the sales are happening, which stores have cheaper items and where to get things for bargain prices. One of the great things about studying in the UK is the opportunity to meet people from all over the world. The British people are also very friendly and welcoming and are happy to give information. So, if you are not sure about anything, ask the staff at the university, friends, tutors and people you meet. You never know what useful information you would get.
I learnt another trick, which is to shop around before I made any purchase. Do your research! So, before I go out to buy a gadget or item or even food, I check online to see which stores have the cheapest, have sales going on or better deals (after all, I am a student and not rolling in millions)! Also, I learnt about finding wonderful items in charity shops and going to car boot sales!
The accent- Hmmm, I went to University in County of Lancashire! Oh, my! The accent was very new to me and quite intriguing! I later got to understand that there are several accents all over the UK. The Manchester accent is different from the Liverpudlian one and when you go to Yorkshire, it is different.
Loneliness - I must touch on loneliness. I was brought up in a very close-knit family. Even when I was doing my first degree at University and I was in a hall of residence, I went home every other week or my mum came to visit (mum was also doing another degree at same university). So, I was never far from loved ones. In the UK, even though I got to meet amazing people from all over the world and formed great friendships which I still keep up to date. I was lonely and missed home. Even when I went with friends and socialised, when I am home, I'd get lonely and miss my family so much. Sometimes, I would cry and just want my mum or my siblings with me. It as very hard and when I returned home, I was overwhelmed with happiness just to be with my family.
Fun - The UK is so much fun! Apart from being inundated with studies and assessment deadlines, I had an amazing time. I visited so many towns and cities in the UK. I enjoyed and still enjoy learning about the history of towns, cities, buildings, architecture etc. I loved every bit of the experience and the life-long friends that I made.
Academic wise, teaching and learning were focused more on self-learning, developing your own understanding and critically analysing concepts, theories and rhetorics.
As the new session starts, I wish you all a wonderful experience!
