To the future students of UoM… Hello, you!
I know it is really daunting thinking about moving so far away from home to a new city, and then there’s all the other doubts that pop up as you being to think about your new life. I was in your shoes just a year ago. I didn’t think I could ever move to a whole different continent, leaving behind my family and friends, and the security of ‘home’. I had so many questions as I began my journey, but during the last 8 months I have found all the answers and reassurance I need. So, I thought, why don’t I sit and write to you, as a friend, who has seen this through and would love to help you make your leap of faith as well!
- Finances
This is probably the topic that comes up the most when people discuss studying abroad, and rightfully so! From being protected and provided for by our families, coming abroad and managing your finances independently can be a pretty big task indeed.
However, believe me when I tell you, you’ll learn how to fly only when you make the leap because everyone has the wings to do so. Enough with the metaphor, what I mean is, it can seem tough at first but everyone does learn through the process. I have seen the most dependent of people learn how to be independent with their finances, and that is saying something! It is easy to find part-time jobs if you spend time learning the strategy, are proactive in taking chances and just go for it. Once you start earning in pounds, spending in pounds doesn’t hurt as much.
Pro Tip: Once you set foot in Manchester, stop converting pounds to your local currency.
- Friendships
We all have heard that the friendships you make at the start will be the make-or-break of your university life. This is true, but only to a certain extent. People are constantly shifting circles and rearranging their social groups, so please don’t think you need to stick by the same set of people you meet in week one. There are those who get lucky with friend groups during freshers, but sometimes it takes longer – I’ve seen everyone find their set of people in due time. What’s important is to apply caution and stay true to your values and how you want your friends to be.
Pro Tip: Go for quality over quantity when it comes to friends.
- Loneliness vs Belongingness
It is very normal to be afraid of feeling out of place in a new city/country/continent. We find people who don’t speak the same language, eat the same food, or dance to the same songs. It’s difficult to feel a sense of belonging at first. However, in the months I’ve been here, I learnt that Manchester as a city is very welcoming, and so are most of its people. The University works very hard to make moving-in as easy as possible, and that’s really all that one can ask for when they come here. It can be scary to think how you’ll manage being all on your own in a new land, but if you just trust that you’ll find your set of people, your favourite go-to places, and that one branch of Tesco that calls out to you for groceries, you’ll be just fine. You’ll even learn to love your own company more and more, and you’ll see the loneliness turn into solitude that you enjoy.
Moving abroad for studies is scary indeed, but in a city this warm (figuratively, haha) and a university this welcoming, the brunt of it all is much softer than we can imagine. If you’re thinking of moving to Manchester, I’d say, do it 100%.
I’ve had a beautiful time making this city my home, and I wouldn’t do it any differently.