What will it be like in a different country? Will I be alright? Will someone be there to help me? Will I make friends? So many questions isn't it?
Now, I am sure that these are some of the questions that might constantly run in the minds of anyone who leaves their home country in pursuit of their dreams. Likewise, even I had many things going on in my mind, but the reality was a lot better. All thanks to the International Welcome Week at Brunel, which was exclusively for international students like me.
Step one of my journey to Brunel was to get to the university from the airport. Now imagine your university coming to pick you up. Yes, you read that right. The friendly Student Ambassadors at Brunel came to pick me up from the airport and safely brought me to the university on a bus. They even helped me collect my accommodation keys and carried my luggage to my new home in Brunel. After settling me down, they wished me luck and left for the day.
During the pre-departure event, we were given the whole itinerary for the international welcome week/ orientation programmes. Being super excited, I eagerly waited for each and every event. Brunel truly understood the assignment and made us feel welcomed and comfortable. Even when we were new here, miles away from our homes, Brunel made sure that we did not miss out on anything.
The mornings began with a grand breakfast buffet arranged for us that included British food which was new to me. I remember enjoying every bit of this newness. That is where I met some of my fellow international friends both from my home country, India and other nations like Sri Lanka and Korea. Then following the wonderful breakfast, we all left for the seminar sessions for international students. The sessions were based on topics such as student visa responsibilities, setting up a bank account and mobile phone, building social connections, getting medical care, where to get support, cultural shocks and many more. These sessions helped us settle down, make new friends and prepare ourselves for life ahead in this new environment.
Apart from breakfast, we were also provided with a wonderful lunch buffet followed by other activities like afternoon tea and board games that ended with a dinner night which included my favourite chicken curry and rice that I missed since I came here.
The next few days included interesting events such as the London Bus tour, where we were taken around Central London in the authentic red double-decker bus and our tour guide explained all the historical facts about various places in London. Some other events were glitter tattooing, getting yourself drawn as a cartoon and various kinds of indoor and outdoor games and activities. It was an overall fun-filled welcome week that made us a part of Brunel already. Brunel has indeed given me the best welcome as an international student with lots of unforgettable memories to cherish of my first few days at university.
Not to forget that, once a Brunel student, always a Brunel student!