What Have I Discovered Halfway Around The Globe? Well...

Madian Noor, Malaysia

At 18, I was offered a scholarship. I spread my wings and flew halfway around the globe to England carrying as much trepidation as excitement. Now 25, I am still in the country pursuing my education. Architecture is one of the longest courses imaginable and it has compelled me to be in Sheffield for nearly 4 years now. It is eerie to think how so many years could pass by in so little time. I ask myself: what have I acquired within that span of time? Well, I do know for sure that I have gained sound education thus far and still am because the School of Architecture in Sheffield University has always been acclaimed to be among the top 3 in the country! However, I would like to believe that my journey here is not all about achieving academic excellence. Experiences, to me are just as important. One day, I would like to sit back in my big leather chair in the office and think, 'Ah, those memories brought me here…'

First impression of England: grey and freezing cold! I am so used to lush green and sunshine that I still find it hard to acclimatize even after all these years. Perhaps mentally, I might not ever adapt but physically, I am a natural. Chips and chocolate helped to sustain me through the weather. Within the first month in England, I acquired 1/6 extra luggage of what I used to weigh. Somehow, my body acted separately from my will and wrapped me up well from the cold. So, friendly advice to weight watchers out there: beware of those food items! Also, a friendly reminder, make yourselves warm and throw on multiple layered clothing (works better than just a thick garment).

I am an active person but I did not obsessively think about exercising or keeping in shape much before. The hot weather back home makes even the dry stick sweat! You can workout just by standing still. People avoid walking outside in the sun and we think the car is a godsend. That is why I find it so wonderful discovering WALKING in England! I walk uphill, I walk downhill, I walk to lectures, I walk to shops – I walk like an ant. It is simply amazing – an easy, non-generating-sweat exercise borne out of practicality and I get to save money from spending on travel passes or fuel.

Before I first came to England, my sponsor organised an Induction Course for the students. We were informed about the culture and the common usage of 'knackered', 'bloke', 'love' and 'duck'. I felt I was well prepared and ready with what to expect and how to cope. I was confident with my command of English language having used it since I could remember (it is an unofficial second language in Malaysia). When I finally arrived in the country, I was perplexed to discover that there is an enormous distinction between our 'Manglish' (Malaysian- English) and the spoken English language here! The different accents simply drove me into confusion. I was consciously aware that most of my decent exchanges with the locals were punctuated with 'pardons' and they mostly returned with the same structure too. It took me a long while before I could decipher and get used to the twangs and slang. Do not rely on those American TV programmes; you need to experience the language in its true milieu – here.

Money is an ever-important issue. For the first few years in the UK, I chronically lacked the appreciation of our currency exchange rate perhaps because I was a fully sponsored student. Then came the big economic upheaval in Malaysia and its region in 1998. Many of our sponsored students were recalled and the private ones had to relocate to other international universities with cheaper fees. Now, every pound we spent cost as much as 6 ringgit – one can of Coke can buy us 5 in Malaysia. I consider myself well off back home but here in Sheffield, the Castle Market area is a lifeline to my grocery shopping and Broomhall is a luxury location to rent.

You are what you eat, and I am very particular about my food. Do not confuse me with the health enthusiasts because my consumption of sugar and grease is quite normal. I take only Halal food, which is more or less comparable to Kosher requirements. What impresses me is that, most of the cities in the country have stores and restaurants that supply such food. Even if none is available in near proximity, I can always rely on Vegetarian food, which is guaranteed to be what it claims with the Vegetarian stamp approval and the compulsory listing of ingredients to check from. It is a shame that there are no Halal stamps introduced as yet but nevertheless, the food labelling law in this country is commendable. It had one of my friends exclaiming in delight, It's easier to get Halal food here than in Singapore (our neighbour country)!

Throughout my stay in this country, I have come across interesting characters and different faces. Friends are a luxury to me therefore I am privileged with only a few. I am hardly one of those amicable people who can easily make passing acquaintances. I prefer to nurture my friendships with time and effort. I get along with many international students. Somehow, our common ground and similar circumstances draw us together. We are more sensitive to each other's cultures and backgrounds. The best part is that, there are efforts on both parties to understand and appreciate those differences. I have a few British friends of the same description as well but many that I have met prefer to group among themselves perhaps finding the international students too risky to approach or too exotic for their tastes.

These are a few of my experiences. My good times and bad times here will stay with me forever. These experiences will equally be cherished. It has been great so far and I pray that the rest of my journey in this country will bring more discoveries and adventures to fill up my many empty pages.

Madian Noor, Malaysia