Introduction

54 – big age – time to do something big and yes I am part of the way there. And enjoying every minute of it – yes I live in Halls but that was part of the excitement to doing my degree. My first year was luxury Halls but this year I have really “roughed it” and lived in an 8 by 6 room with no TV and no living room and a small kitchen – the Common room was closed because of Covid. Last year was amazing – living with Chi Chi – a missionary from Nigeria funnily enough I have just messaged her about meeting up and having fish and chips – what I introduced to her last year. I knew she’d like them all Internationals do. Yes – it was luxury Halls last year with a settee, double bed and TV. This year has been completely different – with no such luxuries as a bath, telly or settee – but I have still had a good time.

My first year at University was actually quite hard-going although the work went well. Personally I found it difficult – it was very hard to adjust to living independently as this was something that I had never done. I went to see student well-being at one point and they said talking to me was very similar to that of talking to students in their twenties – you have to learn how to live and survive by yourself. Although thankfully we all make friends at University. My first week there and my flat-mate had not arrived and I felt very lonely – I went to enrol and had already packed my things in the car to go home and I remember crying to the enrolement officer and he said – go and unpack your things and go for a walk – he had emigrated here from New Zealand – he said to give it time and this I did and have now, never looked back. I would always say to students going to live-in to give it alot of time – months even – yes you get homesick but later on the rewards are great.