Moving away for university is not a light decision to make. There are a ton of emotions that play a huge part – whether it is the excitement to make new memories or fear of the unknown. Nevertheless, starting a new chapter was convincing enough to get me to accept the offer to study at the University of Manchester and as Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”

University life

A view from the Main Library

When I first arrived in Manchester, I was stunned by the huge building on Oxford Road. Whitworth Hall makes you feel like you’re in one of the Harry Potter movies. However, the campus has much more to offer and many different beautiful spots for student to study at. My favourite spot to study has been in the Main Library. The study spaces by the windows facing the university green are great for getting work done while watching other people going about their busy lives. Moreover, the huge international student body and university staff made it very easy to make Manchester feel like a second home since everyone is very openminded and ready to help at any point of time.

Getting the hang of living alone

Before getting to Manchester, I was afraid that I’d struggle to make friends. I wasn’t sure what to expect. As an international student with no prior experience in living alone, I was hit with the responsibility of being independent and building my own life away from family and friends. I believe that Manchester has been the best decision in this regard. Manchester is notorious for having a diverse set of backgrounds and cultures, I’ve found that many people share the same hobbies or interests as myself. The university’s society fairs were an amazing way to get in touch with likeminded peers. There’s a society for anything you can think of, if not you can start your own!

The arch of Whitworth Hall

The city of Manchester

If you like being busy and having many events to attend to, this city will not let you down. Even if Manchester is known for being one of the rainiest cities in the north, this does not stop people from having fun and doing various activities. The university campus and my accommodation are central in Manchester, thus I was able to explore many parts of the city. The Northern Quarter and Deansgate are currently my two favourite neighbourhoods to walk around and enjoy a few hours away from the workload.

Consequently, I feel lucky to say that the opportunities that have emerged during my first semester have only been worthwhile. The various offers and events from the university and the city in general have made it easy to find a home away from home. These few months have allowed me to explore a new part of myself, which I will benefit from in the future and I can’t wait for the many experiences that lie ahead!

Written by Nousha, current MSc Marketing student at AMBS

Related