The Moon In Sheffield

Yun Zhang, China

Many times in the evening, or, rather at night, when I walk out of the Arts Tower on my way home, I can see the moon in the dark-blue sky. It is so bright and quiet, so close to me in the silent, hilly city. It lets me feel a little cheerful, and maybe a little homesick.

I still remember the first day I left my hometown, two hours by car, thirteen hours by air from Shanghai, China to London, one hour from London to Manchester, and finally arriving in Sheffield by train. The train ran so quickly at night, taking me to a city I knew almost nothing about. I sat in the empty carriage, looking out of the window. The moon was bright and full, quiet in the sky. It reminded me that it was the Chinese festival day, the Middle-Autumn day for family reunion. I watched the peaceful moon, and was so tired that I couldn't help falling asleep.

I had little knowledge about studying abroad before. I always thought I should do something different, really do something that I had dreamed of for a long time. I looked on the Internet for some help. I clicked `study in the UK', and Landscape' on my computer. Of course, I have done a lot of things since clicking on these words. However, at last I chose Sheffield University even l though I have no friends there. It was probably fate.

I had never lived so far away from my hometown before. The moon in Sheffield is the same as that shining above my hometown, but it means a lot more to me now than it did in China.

When I arrived at Manchester airport, it was around 8:30pm. I pushed my heavy trolley, thinking of the worst situation I would meet. But when I went to the entrance, I saw a notice board saying `Sheffield University' held by two students, a boy and a girl. I talked with them in my stammering English. I knew the coach to Sheffield University was ready. My uneasy feeling about the unfamiliarity was disappearing.

They had to wait for the other students till 11:00pm. So, I decided to go first by train to my new home. The two students accompanied me to the railway station, helped me push my trolley, bought my train ticket, and phoned my landlord informing him of my arrival time. They also stayed with me until the train came. The boy carried my luggage onto the train, and they even found a Chinese student who would get off at the same stop as me, asking him to take care of me and help me with my luggage. They left me with nothing to worry about, and they did it so naturally, as if it was no trouble to them. I really wanted to express my gratitude to them, but because of my English, I could only say thank you. However, their considerate and gentle attitude relaxed me, let me feel comfortable and peaceful.

I awoke at the last stop: Sheffield. It was around midnight, and my landlord was waiting on the platform for me. I had never met him before, but we recognised each other for sure since he was the only one there.

I was so worried before arriving in Sheffield. At first, I thought I would miss the flight from London to Manchester, because I only had two hours for going through the entry formalities and changing terminals. I was afraid of spending a lot of money staying in a Heathrow hotel if I actually missed it. Fortunately, when I explained my circumstances, both the visa officer and the airport staff were quite helpful. I finally caught the flight on time. I was also worried about getting a taxi at midnight. I only got the address of my accommodation through e-mail and knew nothing about taxis in the UK. And it was midnight! However, I was very lucky. Everything was so good, much better than I expected.

Many more little things helped me to settle in during my first few days in Sheffield. The people in Sheffield, especially the elderly, are quite kindhearted. Many times, when I felt lost at a street corner, they showed me the right way before I even asked them.

When I walked along in the park, they chatted with me and reminded me to be careful. Once, I went to the city centre by tram, and I didn't know which stop I should get off at for the Natwest. I asked a lady on the tram, and she not only showed me the location, but also took me herself. She held my hand to cross the road, because she was worried that I wasn't familiar with the traffic regulations here. At that moment, I felt that she was like my kindly grandmother.

Probably because of the valley landscape, the clear sky, or the low-rise buildings in Sheffield, I often meet the beautiful moon on my way home. Sometimes it is full, sometime is crescent. Anytime, the moonlight is gentle, peaceful, and bright, shining in the silent night. It goes with me, and helps me remember these kinds of things about my life in Sheffield.

Time is flying: Christmas, New Year, and Easter. I have experienced autumn and winter in Sheffield and am looking forward to the wonderful seasons, spring and summer. What was completely new is gradually becoming familiar to me. I have got friendly roommates, classmates, tutors, and their friends have become my friends. Although I am getting busier with my study now, my life here has also got easier. I have already imagined leaving here in half a year. When I have started to feel attached to this area, my departure time is coming. It always seems to be this way in life.

But the moon, existing in the boundless sky for such a long time, shines in the night. It has watched every ordinary life changing or staying the same for so many generations. Compared with this, my time is so short, is almost nothing. Why do I worry so much?

Yes, I know I will miss my time here, the life which is simple but beautiful. I wish the moon, clear and tender, can bless me a peaceful and happy life in the future, and can light up my way in the night.

Yun Zhang, China