By Nia Starr, MSc International Management and Marketing
Last September I packed up my bags, said goodbye to my family and friends, and made a move across the pond (from America to England). I’ve never really been a homebody and had lived abroad before, so I wasn’t particularly afraid to be starting a new life in a new country. I was quite excited actually, for the new classes I would take, the new adventures I would have, and the new friends I would make. In my head, I thought I would arrive to a house full of people and instantly make connections with my housemates that would jump-start my adventurous journey in Sheffield. Life throws you curve-balls sometimes, and that was not the case.
As it turns out, my first week was spent solo, as only one of my housemates had moved in and school did not start for another few weeks. I spent most of that time aimlessly wandering around the Sheffield, getting to know the city and buying things for my new room. After about a week and a half, I signed up for a few Give-It-A-Go activities. This was really the turning point of my time here. I signed up for a Zumba class, which ultimately got cancelled, but while I was waiting for the class to start, I made a friend. She was also waiting for the class, and she wound up becoming one of my closest friends here.
Tip 1: Delve right in! Because I waited nearly two weeks to start getting active and involved, I missed out on the opportunity to have made more friends. Friends who would have made shopping for new room decorating things, that much more fun and who would have been great to explore a new city with.
Not long after school started, that friend that I mentioned earlier convinced me to try out for the university futsal team (indoor soccer). I had played soccer for a large part of my life, but had never played
indoor soccer before. I was really reluctant but agreed to try out with her. We both made the team. Joining the futsal team has really been one of the most enjoyable experiences that I have had since moving here. It is something I look forward to every week, not only because I love the sport, but also because I was able to forge great friendships with my teammates. Joining the team also allowed me to travel and see different parts of England that I might otherwise never would have ventured to.
Tip 2: Try something new! Don’t be afraid to join a new club because you are afraid you will fail. The sooner you do it, the sooner you will find out if you enjoy the activity or if you don’t. This is also a great way to gain a new hobby that could be instrumental in making your life the best it can be here.
My first semester here, I had so much excess time on my hands! With that time, I really didn’t do anything productive or anything that would greatly enhance my life. Second semester, I started applying myself a lot more. I got a job, an internship, and applied for a company based project. I applied for these things and managed to successfully attain a position for all of them, which gave me more confidence to apply for other things that I wanted.
Tip 3: Don’t waste your time here! Take advantage of all the excess time and fill it. Join a gym (which I didn’t do until the end of the first semester, and regretted it), go out with friends, and apply for those things that will enhance your future. If I had applied myself and been more productive during first semester, there is definitely a guarantee that I could be further along in every aspect of my life here in Sheffield, right now. Opportunity awaits, don’t let it pass you by!