How I found my home away from home

RESIDING IN STUDENT ACCOMMODATION

I soon started to feel at home from the very moment I moved into my new flat and found myself getting used to Leeds. It is very exciting in a sense that I now have a newfound freedom, which helped me become more independent - as I now have to take things into my own hands, including cleaning, cooking, laundry, and shopping. Of course, these were overwhelming at the beginning, but I eventually got the hang of them and established a pattern.

I also found it easier to connect with people and make new friends living in student accommodation. Before moving here, I originally just wanted to get a house and split the rent and bills with other people because most would say it’s cheaper that way - but looking back, I do see now the importance of living in student halls, and I’ve got no regrets at all. I do think that this is very important especially if it’s your first year of study - I would recommend just staying in halls for the time being until you get used to uni life in another city/country.

SECURING A PART-TIME JOB ALONGSIDE UNI

Everyone would agree that the greatest incentive of students working part-time would be the ability to earn in order to pay the rent, buy books, and perhaps even rewarding oneself on a night out or just personal shopping. Uni life is nowhere near cheap! 

Apart from all that money, working part-time has definitely helped me quickly get over the homesickness and served as a distraction in a sense that instead of just sitting at home doing nothing when I’m not in uni, I am actually doing something productive - and get compensated for it, so that’s been very nice. 

Aside from getting a taste of adulthood and independence because I was already earning my own money and not having to rely on my parents like I did back home, I was also able to develop a wide range of transferable skills as a student whilst working part-time such as interpersonal skills, time management, teamwork and communication - which would be beneficial for me in the professional settings.

I would say in terms of working part-time, another thing that helped me get over the homesickness even more is the fact that my workplace actually consists of mainly Filipinos (I work in a Filipino Restaurant). Being able to work with people from the same country as me instantly gave me a sense of belonging, even though living abroad and experiencing a new culture might occasionally feel alienating. Similar customs forged an immediate connection and increased my sense of belonging. We all speak the same language and relate to one another in so many ways, as one happy family abroad.

JOINING GLOBAL VILLAGE

Even when I first heard of Leeds Beckett by coming across YouTube videos and social media posts from other international students part of the Global Village, I immediately thought I wanted to be a part of that community. The Global Village aims to promote diversity, and cultural exchange among university students. Here, students from different countries and cultural backgrounds come together to celebrate their diversity and share their experiences. They organise a series of events including cultural showcases, language exchange programs, and international food festivals. Through these activities, students have the opportunity to learn about different cultures, languages, and traditions, fostering cross-cultural understanding and appreciation as well as making new friends.

GAINING SUPPORT FROM FRIENDS AND FELLOW STUDENTS

Two weeks before I left the Philippines, I was introduced to a couple of other Filipina students also bound for Leeds Beckett University for a pre-departure briefing. When we met, we were all set for England - Leeds Beckett… but none of us knew what to expect and were afraid of what’s to come. They became a crucial part of my journey as an international student in Leeds Beckett. Especially in a foreign setting, connecting with students from your own country gives you a sense of comfort and cultural familiarity. Most of them already have relatives living in the UK for a longer period of time or know someone who are more accustomed to the local way of life; so they were able to provide me with valuable insights, advice, and useful pointers to assist me in navigating my way here, which was very useful especially upon arriving here - as I was the first one in our group to arrive in the UK in August.

Even my course mates are very friendly, so I didn’t have a difficult time when I was just starting uni. Some of them eventually became my best mates. Friends from uni serve as an invaluable support system, providing company, empathy, and during both academic and personal challenges. Learning outcomes and academic achievement can be improved, as well as a sense of teamwork, by working together on group projects or studying for assessments.

I learned that these friendships support cultural interchange, personal development, and a feeling of community within the university, in addition to enhancing the study abroad experience.

My journey of moving away from my home and everything I knew hasn't been easy for sure, and the process of getting used to this transition is nowhere near complete. However, it is happening - slowly, but surely.