I landed at 5am, I walked into the John Foster building at 9am.
President of JMSU, Julia, reflects on her first day and experiences at Liverpool John Moores University.
I had never been to Liverpool before and I had (almost) no idea what I was getting myself into. Whilst living abroad, travelling to the UK for an Open Day wasn’t exactly an option – I relied on Google Maps and pictures from LJMU’s website for orientation!
My first day was a lot of fun and the excitement compensated for my lack of sleep. I remember not being able to nap on the flight as I was thrilled at the thought of moving to a new country to start a new chapter. As you can imagine, everything was new to me: the campus, my accommodation, the city centre …and the accent! English isn’t my first language and that brought a few funny exchanges when I first arrived.
“Are you alright?”
I didn’t understand why the staff at my accommodation asked me that every time I walked in – in my head, I kept thinking: “Do I not look alright? Do I look sick?” –, then you soon come to realize that that is the Liverpool equivalent of the ‘How are you’ that you are taught when learning the language.
I fell in love with The Docks
Constantly speaking another language 24/7 is very tiring as you’re concentrating a lot more, both in the classroom and in social settings, often translating in your head from your own language. I found that going for a walk by The Docks was a way to unwind and a reminder of home, as I grew up by the coast. Homesickness hits everyone at university and it’s really something we don’t talk about enough, almost as if it was a rare thing and quite ‘uncool’.
Homesickness brought out the best in me
Looking back, I have been very active while at LJMU – getting involved in the Students’ Union as well as in university projects and initiatives, going on a one-year work placement, travelling and so on. I wanted to maximize my time in Liverpool as I knew there was so much to do and I only had three years to have the best undergraduate experience I could possibly have – which I did. I also knew it all started with me. I joined a number of clubs and societies and finally became a regular member of the International Society, where I made friends who have taught me so much about their cultures and with whom, years from now, I know I will still be in contact.
Lifelong memories, friendships, learning
As cheesy as it sounds, it’s all true. I have changed a lot as an individual during my time at Liverpool John Moores University; I have become a lot more confident and independent and I have done so much more than what I ever thought I was capable of doing. When you get to university, you learn just as much inside and outside the classroom. There really is so much to moving to a new place, meeting people from all over the world and discovering new interests and passions from joining student groups, volunteering and working (for me, within the institution itself). As I’m sure you can tell I would highly recommend going to University and, especially to Liverpool John Moores. It’s a great place!
