Studying At The UK – Finally!
The thought of studying abroad has always been a dream to me.
I was afraid to go on an exchange programme because little did I know I would have the opportunity and time in my life.
I never expected to have the chance to study in the UK, especially in the University of Essex, a university that was awarded the University of the Year 2018! Till now, everything still feels like a dream to me.
The experience in the UK was life-changing, the size of the campus and the weather, the people – everything was different, yet adrenaline was running down my spine the moment I stepped my foot into the University.
Can you imagine the excitement of getting into contact with the cool breeze on your face and walking down the road paved with fallen autumn leaves?
There were even benches set under those trees for the students to enjoy their meals. My friend and I ran to the nearest bench and started taking photos with the autumn leaves, just like a typical tourist!
But we could not resist ourselves as everything was mesmerizing and we gasped in surprise every time we passed by a building on campus. It was hard for us to believe that we were so far away from home that we started getting a little homesick on the second week, but all was good when we started to go on trips to visit the places of attraction in Essex.
The most crucial part is that we made it to those places all by ourselves! That is something we would not get to do back in Malaysia or when we are travelling with our family.
All in all, this experience has taught me to be grateful and independent as sometimes it can be hard dealing problems on my own in a country when my family and friends are on the other side of the world, living in a different time zone.
I can proudly tell you that through this programme, I have gotten myself out of my comfort zone and in one way or another, enhanced my experience as a student and as a person. Thank you to everyone who has made this possible for me! I am forever grateful for this experience!
Written by Lim Ming Ern from FOSSLA, at the University of Essex, UK