Experience Of A Lifetime

James Ding Tse Wen, Malaysia

Firstly, I would have never thought that I would be able to study in England. If someone told me 5 years ago that I would be able to go abroad to study in England, I would have grinned and said something like, Well, yeah…maybe. Fortunately, 5 years down the road, I am here at last, living through what I thought 5 years ago was a fantasy.

I recall the time when my flight was scheduled to leave Kuala Lumpar International Airport. The environment was filled with excitement and a kind of sadness with the presence of my family members and relatives. When it was time to depart, feelings of insecurity began to escalate and I found myself very much not wanting to go. Hugs and kisses were exchanged and finally I was off on my own, to leave my country and venture off into a whole new world. Passing through security checks, I was feeling very miserable at the thought of not seeing my loved ones for the next 9 months, the life that I would face in England and the 13 hours non-stop flight to England.

I arrived in England approximately 6.30am and the first thing that came through my mind after passing customs was how cold it was. Yet, the feeling was nullified due to all the new sights I saw at the airport such as the building infrastructures, the vehicles around and the people.

There was a welcoming reception organised by the University and for the following week, all the new students were treated to a time of fun, at the same time getting adapted to the new surroundings. I would consider this time to be the best of all as I got to know people from all around the world and for the rest of the orientation week, we were given a series of talks to prepare us for the possible challenges we might face in future. Coupled with a trip to see the sights of the city's outskirts and finally a formal dinner to welcome us to Sheffield, I could not help feeling more satisfied and fortunate to be here.

5 months have passed since my arrival in England and it has been an interesting time (except for the examination period). I am happy with the friends I have made over the time and the experience that I have gone through, be it studies or the social life here in England. Food had been one of my problems when I just arrived here but thankfully I have grown accustomed to it.

No doubt my time here is an experience of a lifetime and no matter what challenges may present themselves in the future, I am sure that I will look upon my time here with fond memories in the years to come.

James Ding Tse Wen, Malaysia