A foreign student's experience...
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It is nothing short of unbelievable that my time at university is almost over. It seems as though only two blinks ago I was back in my homeland Trinidad and Tobago being adamant about two things: I was going to study film and drama abroad, and I was not ready to leave my comfort zone just yet. The latter changed the day I went to pick my brother up from the airport on his way home from university, for the August vacation. I was accustomed to meeting him in the airport, but this was the first time I noticed that the arrivals area was flooded with young adults all sporting the names of the foreign universities they attended. The degree of pride laced over their faces and those of their parents was utterly fascinating. That was the moment I knew that I was ready to leave my sheltered Trinidadian home. I wanted to be like those university students: returning home with pride to proud parents.
A few weeks later, my family and I set off for Europe for our summer vacation. By this time my dad was suggesting universities in Canada, Spain and France, yet somehow I was not sold. On our way to our final destination, England, I found an article in an in-flight magazine that changed the course of my future. It was an article about the advancements of film studies in English universities. The prospect was suddenly perfect. England was my choice. It was home to credible universities with successful film programs and it was quite close to the European continent, which would satisfy my love for travelling and foreign languages. On returning to Trinidad, I delved into research and discovered one of the best UK universities for my degree of choice: The University of Kent. The following September, I was on a flight bound for the UK. My heart was a swirling mass of excitement and fear. I was embarking on a life-altering experience which thrilled me. Simultaneously however, I was departing from the people and the place I cherish the most. Yet in the midst of my dubiety, I held on to the pillar of knowledge that this university – this new life – was the gateway to my lifelong dream of becoming a successful filmmaker and theatre director. I therefore knew that I had to see it through.
The hardest part of my life here in Kent occurred during the first three weeks of term. I was told by a friend that it usually takes two weeks for students to find their niche. I remember silently fuming at him when it proved to be longer in my case. It was purely overwhelming how much I missed my family. There were teary phone calls, teary emails and teary diary entries. However, I had to stay strong – I had to battle out three months before I could see my family again for Christmas. Nevertheless, with everything that houses a damper, there is always a silver lining to be found. I found my feet in the Catholic and Salsa societies which I joined. Shortly after, I discovered that only three doors away lived one of the most amazing people I’ve encountered in my life. We quickly became very close friends. From that moment on, the magical life of my university began. I developed a close relationship with my other corridor-mates, classes grew more and more enjoyable and I embraced the British culture which blossomed into an exciting new world for me.
Kent is undeniably a place I will always hold close to my heart. After three years my mind has expanded on filmmaking and drama. My heart has opened wider in tolerance and respect for others and my spirit has bloomed in the recognition that I have grown into a person of whom I am truly proud!
Maria Lewis
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