I know when a person reaches 18 or ‘that age’ it seems like there is a chain around the throat that parents seem to be squeezing tighter and tighter. You just want to breathe and be free and the best way to escape is to choose a university that is as far away from them as possible so that you can only see them when you want to and in most cases just to ask for money. I understand this because a lot of people around me feel that way…I think it’s called adolescence by adults…and ‘I am now a grown up, Mom!’ by us!! Lol…
For me however, I loved being close to home. My parents have never been strict so distance was the last thing I wanted. So when my dad told me he was going to be looking for a university that had a great reputation in United Kingdom, I wasn’t exactly jumping out of my chair. For me, it seemed at that time as the worst thing that would happen to me. Suddenly, I would be trying to settle in a new place, make new friends…it seemed at the time to be a disaster.
When we found Sussex, I liked the idea that it was near the beach as I like water and it had been voted the best place to be by students. We also had to look at its security which is quite high! Believe me, if I was going to move to a place far from home, I wanted some place safe and nice so that fitting in would not have to be a struggle.

Its a beautiful place to be as well!!
At first when I read all the good things people were writing about it , I thought this was all talk, everyone said nice things about it…I was like… ‘this can NOT be seriously true.’ So while everyone around me seemed to be excited, I dragged my feet throughout the whole process of application. When I was told I had to do a foundation year so that I ease well into the community, I thought it would be a waste of time. I just wanted the whole thing over and done with. So I never really appreciated the fact that all my correspondence with the ISC was efficient…I didn’t care. But somewhere along the way I had reached an understanding with my parents that it was the best thing for me to do and I had decided to give it a go!
So at the airport, I cried buckets. I couldn’t believe I was leaving. My flight was a blur, all I could think of was the family and friends I left behind and I wondered what would happen if the people in Brighton were mean and I hated everything…I had sssoooo many fears. When we got to Heathrow I cried again….In my head I was thinking, ‘I cant believe this will be my home for the next 4 years.’ It seemed like forever!! My taxi driver however, was really friendly…maybe he saw my gloomy face, and I swear my heart was in my stomach.

Sussex offers a friendly environment to all!!
I think my fears started fading when I got to the entry way of Sussex University and saw they wrote welcome in different languages. For me, this was a sign that this was a campus that was used to having a lot of international students and wanted them all to feel welcome. And then I met the residential advisor who was really nice…in fact I don’t believe I met someone who was mean. I don’t really care if they were trained to be nice; the fact is you actually feel welcome and that I guess is what matters. But still, I had not gone to the ISC and that’s what mattered.
When I got there I loved the teachers, the administration…and believe me I know I sound so positive and you think this can NOT be seriously true, but it is. What started out as a nightmare was turning out to be a good deal. In fact I ended up having a wonderful year at ISC and made a lot of friends!! The staff was not biased but truthfully strove to find ways to help you reach your potential. I remember Paul Lovegrove, my head of department said, if you work hard and attend all classes you will pass….so that’s what I did.
However I will say this: A lot of people have been writing to me asking about ISC and Sussex University and I will say what I always tell them: you have to be willing to do some work. The teachers do their best but they can’t pass for you. If you do some work, you will make it. Your nationality does not matter…what matters is your attitude. The questions and fears you should have is whether you are willing to learn, because if you are…it might be not so hard because the teachers will easily guide you through! However, if you just want to have fun (because there is a lot to do for fun), then you will have fun but then you might fail. The trick is to work hard and have a good time!!
The thing I have discovered however after one year as an undergraduate in the University is that one never really appreciates the foundation year until you get into university. For me even, I just wanted to get through with it…in other ways it was a means to an end….however, ever so often in my first year of Law, I would think: ‘ Gosh if I had not done my foundation, this would have been harder!!’ I guess more so now than ever I thank the ISC for what it gave me!
I have asked myself a lot of times whether I regret coming here!! Well, Obviously NOT!! I feel privileged that I have graced the campus of Sussex. Before I came here I was always so goal oriented. I wanted to be a lawyer and I worked hard to get there. I doubt I enjoyed the whole process much. I kept telling myself that I would enjoy when I finally got to be a lawyer.

A glimpse of the Uni
Being at Sussex has taught me that learning is an experience. It is not just about school but all that happens on the way.-The finding of houses, paying of bills, having fun with friends and so much more. When I look at what I have learnt in the past year, it is sssoooooo much to put in words. I learn more even when I do my part time job at a bookshop…the environment there gives me an opportunity to relate to other people who are not students….It is amazing. When I talk to my mom who I very much look up to…she always says she is happy about all the different areas I am growing..She believes this is making me a fully rounded person…and I agree with her. Honestly, I don’t know what the future holds but I am currently enjoying my way there.
I am not saying I don’t get home sick or moan about some things, but I am learning of ways to live happily with all this….Life can not be perfect but if I have a happy life that is all that matters!!
I know I haven’t talked much about my summer holidays…I will…just watch this space!!!
And I know I said I would write the list of 25 things you may or may not know about me…well I’ll do it slowly….for today here is one:
I LOVE earrings sssoooo much!!!!! I don’t think it’s healthy anymore! It has reached a point that if I forget to wear some, I have to stop somewhere to buy a pair before I reach my destination! My mom thinks by the time I’m 25 I will actually have a whole suitcase full.. hahaha….I know its vain…but just as chocolate is some people’s weakness…earrings are mine:)