It Was A Rainy Day...

Kevin Kam, Malaysia

It was a rainy day when we first arrived at Manchester. Cold and wet, we had for the first time, a taste of bad English weather. Luckily, however, Sheffield welcomed us with a big smile - it was a bright and sunny day with white clouds hovering in the sky. We knew that this was going to be the start of an enjoyable stay in Sheffield.

For some, going to study abroad may be a nerve-wracking experience, especially when one is going alone. But for us, it was more of an exciting event as many of us were going at the same time as direct second year entrants from Taylor's College in Malaysia. The so-called `missing home and family' syndrome at the Kuala Lumpur International airport seemed to have been left behind as soon as we left there.

Although the semester was not starting for two weeks, we came early to join the Orientation Programme. Greeted by people from the Meet and Greet Scheme, it was really convenient for us as we were taken all the way from Manchester to our temporary accommodation in Sorby Hall. For new international students coming to Sheffield, the Orientation programme is definitely highly recommended. Not only was it interesting but it was also quite useful getting an insight into the whereabouts of places in Sheffield before the start of the term itself. Besides, it was more like a holiday as we were taken to places of interest in Sheffield like Chatsworth House; played treasure hunt and bar quiz at night. It was really a week of great fun as well as getting to know others from other countries and participating in the many activities that had been lined up for us.

When that came to an end, we all went to our respective accommodation. Most of my Malaysian friends were in the halls of residence but mine was 126, Harcourt Rd, a university-owned house, quite a walking distance from theirs. Initially, I was quite worried, not knowing what sort of housemates I would get. Were they going to be nasty people? Were they going to get along well with me? Were they going to be English or some other nationals? The truth soon revealed itself – some of them liked to turn on their music loud which is quite disturbing when you need to sleep; some always left their dishes unwashed piling up in the sink (sometimes for weeks!) and they got really annoying when they're drunk.

However, as much as they were a little annoying sometimes so were they very nice and friendly English people who taught me a lot of things from English culture and politics to England's many places of interest and traditional food. We had shared a lot about what our different countries were like and sometimes our conversations last until three in the morning. Most of them were also ready to lend a helping hand whenever I needed help – one housemate was even kind enough to bring me a portable heater all the way from his home in Lancashire when he knew I was planning to get myself a fan heater during winter! I am indeed grateful to have such good housemates.

Thinking back, it sometimes feels like it's only yesterday since the first day I came here. Time has certainly whisked past without my knowing it and I am now in my final year in Sheffield. And this year, I am staying in Ranmoor House, a Hall of Residence. Many might find this weird because it is a shift from self-catered to catered accommodation, the norm being the other way round. I am not exactly a very good cook so I believe this was the best choice for me. Furthermore, I wasn't able to find a suitable private house for myself and most of my mates chose to stay back in Ranmoor House. I must admit, hall food is not all that edible sometimes, but it surely saves the trouble of having to think what to cook and to actually cook.

One can't deny the fact that Sheffield is indeed a very different place from my country. The weather, for one, is undoubtedly different. Whereas we get sunshine all the time, the opposite is true of Sheffield especially during the months of winter. Dark and gloomy, it isn't all that encouraging for getting out of the house. Moreover, the cold sometimes creeps up to your room all the way to your bed so that all you want to do when you get up is get under the duvet again and just forget about class. Winter is indeed a very cruel period, especially if you have to walk out in the freezing cold everyday to your department situated at the top of the hill like the Crookesmoor building for the law students. What's worse, you can't take a bus there from Shore Lane even if it snows because there aren't any going that way!

Snow during winter is indeed a marvellous sight, particularly for someone who has never seen snow before. This would not be anything special for those who have been here before but for a first-timer, seeing white flakes of snow descending, covering the ground like a white blanket is certainly not something you get to see back home. And who could forget the snowball fights we used to have outside Ranmoor House Annexe this year! We were, of course, no match for our English counterparts in snowball fights but we had great fun, throwing snowballs packed with a punch at each other.

Come spring, the flowers come alive with protruding daffodils of white, yellow and orange on the sides of the road – a sort of relief that winter has decided to finally leave for a holiday before it comes back next year. Spring is thought to bring warmth after a harsh winter but it seems it is still cold, with gusts of wind blowing throughout the day even when the sun is shining brightly.

I must say, generally, people in Sheffield are very friendly and helpful. Wherever you go, people flash a smile at you. On the roads most drivers, unlike those back in my home country, would often stop to let you, the pedestrian, cross at junctions. There was once when we looked lost and a good Samaritan just popped up to us and asked if we needed directions.

Sheffield is also a relatively safe place compared with other cities. London, for instance, was quite hostile to us when my friends and I were there. We were racially harassed by some bum on the streets in Leicester Square and we almost got into a fight. By contrast, Sheffield is quite peaceful and quiet. I frequently walk home alone to Harcourt Road after visiting my mates at Ranmoor House in the early hours of the morning around 4 and the streets are not all that dangerous. Of course, once in a while, there will be drunkards or potential assailants on the streets but quite often there'll be a police patrol car driving past as well. Not surprisingly, Sheffield was voted Safest City 2000.

As graduation is drawing closer, it'll only be four to five months before I go back to Malaysia. Although I long to return home for home-cooked meals and local Malaysian food, I often pop by Millennium for a lamb kebab or Broomhill Friary for fish and chips or a cajun chicken from Northern Sole for lunch. It may sound a little funny but sometimes, the craving for these food is just as strong as for Malaysian food and when I was back in Malaysia during summer, I missed these food I had in Sheffield. I suppose I'll really miss them once I'm back home for good. In fact, it won't be just the food, but also the new friends I have made, the friendly and peaceful environment and, above all, the good times in Sheffield.

Two years seemed long at the start of my journey, yet it feels short now that it's almost coming to an end. But one thing's for sure - I have truly enjoyed my stay here. There were certainly many memorable moments and sweet memories which I'll find it hard to leave behind but immortalised in rolls and rolls of film, these good times will forever be treasured. Thanks for giving us such a wonderful time, Sheffield.

Cheers!

Kevin Kam, Malaysia