“G’Day, mate, how are u” :)
I’m Nina, one of the six ambassadors. Sorry for the late blog as May is a seriously tough month for me, both from Uni load and working shift. So glad we are in the corner to June. Finally, my life is becoming less busy.
For the very first blog, I would like to share with you guys about my experiences and thoughts of doing study overseas. It is really a combination of happiness and sadness, I do love the word: BitterSweet, which express my feeling exactly.
Landing at the Adelaide Airport still seems to be happened yesterday even though I have been here for two years already. Believe or not, time flies much quicker than you think! It was a gloomy day when I arrived: cloudy + shower, winter time of Adelaide. However, the warm welcome from host family made me feel like in spring. They picked me up from the airport and drove me straight away to the Central Market at where did impressive me a lot: countless coffee shops, lovely baking stores, yummy restaurants, fresh fruit and vegetables which are the key words I picked up from Central Market. This is how I started the new journey at overseas: Adelaide, South Australia, a totally new place for me!
Speaking English was my first task needed to work out at Adelaide. Still remember that I was crying when I talked to Mum on skype, because I barely understood local’s English and hardly communicated with others in English either. It was bitter for me to live in the new place at where different language is spoken. However, we all learn by practicing. I cherished every single chance to learn English and integrate into local community, such as communicated with my host family and neighbor, chatted with my mates at Uni, made new friends when volunteering. Now I am confident enough to say that English is no longer a barrier for me! Isn’t it a great happiness when you figure out the tough task and see the improvement?
Homesick might be a common thing for most of the International students. It is so true that nowhere is better than home. You would miss home and your close friends when you are alone, especially when there is a difficulty or hard decision you have to make. This is another bitter thing for me to study overseas. But I do have my own way to fight with homesick: networking which is the favorite thing in my spare time. Step out of the house, be active in the social community and join up the local events and activities. All of these not only help me fight with homesick, also provide me with knowledge of local culture. It is sweet to learn and experience different things and grow up in a different culture. What do you reckon?
Life is not easy for anyone, particularly when you study overseas. But it would be easier if you can stay positive and keep active. I do enjoy the bittersweet life at overseas. Please remember that whatever life throws to you, get up & walk away, give yourself a big smile. It is my way to cope with life’s challenges.
How do you find your life and study at overseas? Feel free to share yours with me.
Catch up soon
Cheers
Nina