My First Year In Sheffield

Sonal Mehra, Japan

I am almost at the end of my first year in University and how quickly it has flown by! I can´t believe that 9 months ago I was on my way to England as a fresher. As every new student is, I was very excited yet at the same time nervous, not knowing what to expect.

On my very first night in Ranmoor, one of the University´s catered accommodations, I received a knock on my door and an invitation down to the bar from a girl a few doors down. She is now one of my closest friends here.

In general everything went a lot smoother and better than what I had imagined. There is always the fear of what if I don´t make friends, what if I don´t like the city, what if I´m too homesick and so forth. In the beginning I was rather homesick and missed Tokyo a lot, especially the food. When I first came here I remember complaining about how bland everything was and how I missed the amazing variety of food I got at home.

There are still times when I miss home a lot. After all it is home and growing up with a certain culture in a different country there are many aspects you are bound to miss. However, as this year has gone on I have come to appreciate Sheffield more and more.

I really love how the city and the university are integrated. I much prefer this style as opposed to a closed campus. Sheffield is really a student city, or at least the main part is. Everything you need is on one big road all the way down to the city centre, so it´s quite hard to get lost! Everyone here is also very friendly. The amount of times I had to ask for directions in the beginning because I was still adjusting to the city was embarrassing, but every time I got not only directions, but also a conversation.

The one thing my friends still tease me about is my American accent and words. British English is very different and the same word in American English is used for something else, it is all very confusing! I´m getting there though; I use a lot of English colloquialisms now when I speak, though apparently I still say it in an American accent!

I can´t wait to come back next year when we move into our own house! Next year is going to be just as great with that little bit more freedom and facing the tasks of cooking and bills. This year I learnt a lot about myself in University and next year I´m sure I´ll learn even more!

Sonal Mehra, Japan