Enjoying The Utmost Academic Journey Abroad

After working for a while, I started to feel the urge to upgrade my skills by pursuing higher education. In 2022, I chose the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom to obtain my master's degree. Bristol is located in the heart of southwestern England which is marked by a blend of history, culture, community, and nature.

I was fortunate enough to be able to study without worry because I secured a fully funded scholarship from LPDP which helped me provide financial support. Even though I was secure financially, I realized that the learning process itself is an undeniably daunting task. Therefore, finding a way to make it more enjoyable could reduce the level of stress.

In this article, I will not talk about the 'technical' aspect of academic life, such as the courses and campus facilities because lots of people have already discussed it. I will talk about how pursuing study in a foreign place can be an emotionally rewarding journey. However, I must admit that people might have different experiences, some people might find it difficult and stressful. However, I want to shed light on the hope that studying abroad can be an enjoyable experience. For me, one year of study in the UK helps me gain curiosity, resiliency as well as confidence.

Personal

When I touched the ground shortly after landing at Heathrow Airport in London, I felt a burst of excitement. Loads of questions started to fill my mind. "Will I be able to survive and adapt?", "Can I make new friends?" "Can I beat Britain's bad weather?" "How do I enjoy my time here while being a responsible student?". To overcome my fear, I replaced anxiety with curiosity. I wandered a lot with the belief that I could try a lot of things I didn't think I could do, such as solo travel to rural England, museum hopping, and watching football matches.

I brought my plans to reality. I spent my weekends doing solo travel and exploring beautiful villages in the Cotswold area. I also found that visiting museums is an enjoyable activity. My favourite museum is the National Gallery which is located near Trafalgar Square in London. I was amazed by how beautiful and detailed old artworks are. I could not believe I finally saw many historical paintings with my own eyes. In May 2023, I also watched a football match in Old Trafford, Manchester. It was truly an incredible experience because I went there all by myself.

Being far from family and closest friends forced me to navigate lots of things alone. It was challenging because I am a clumsy person. Also, I took ownership of my own decision and bear the consequences. I learned not to be careless and more aware of my surroundings.

Studying, exams, and deadlines can be stressful too. Therefore, it is important to manage your time and energy to get things done. But remember, when things get too overwhelming, do not hesitate to seek professional help. I was fortunate enough because my campus provides many facilities to support mental health and well-being. 

As a person who comes from a humble background, having an opportunity to live in a foreign country truly improves my self-esteem. I feel a feeling of accomplishment because only a few people are able to obtain their degree in the UK.

Interpersonal

One of the most endearing aspects of my study life in Bristol is a strong sense of community, not only on the campus but also in my neighbourhood. Bristolians are known for their friendly and welcoming nature.

There are several key takeaways I learned:

• When you are abroad, you have the privilege to learn from others and meet people from around the world, which you will always feel thankful for. In my case, I lived with a local landlady who was super friendly and helpful. Sometimes we had breakfast and dinner together. Our breakfast time became a ritual that I grew to cherish. I loved listening to the tales and adventures of her youth over morning coffee. She often invited me to dinners and introduced me to her friends and families. Besides that, I also had a chance to meet my classmates who have similar professional backgrounds. We shared the challenges and struggles and how we can learn from each other.
• I also loved to introduce my background. I took pride in where you're from and being a good representative of Indonesia. I introduced my friends to many cultural things in Indonesia and I taught them some basic conversation in Bahasa Indonesia. In addition, I invited some of my classmates and cooked them Indonesian food. Well, I can call it gastro diplomacy.  
• One thing I learned from people I met in the UK is how they maintain a good quality of social interaction. They show respect to other people, and they know boundaries. They'll never ask about your weight, marital status, etc. Even if they do so, they will do it respectfully.

When the study ends...

One year passed and my study has come to an end. Finishing the degree does not necessarily mean the learning process is also stopped. I do believe that developing learning muscles is not limited to when we study inside the classroom. The more you learn, the more you realize you didn't know that much. My worldview has been expanded. 

Living in the UK for a year has been a transformative journey.  It is both a rewarding and humbling experience. The improvement I have felt is not only cognitive aspect but also emotional.  At least there is one thing I can be proud of:  spending my youth well, which I will never regret for the rest of my life. As I reflect on my study, I am filled with gratitude for the memories created and the invaluable experiences that have shaped me. My chapter as a student in the UK may be closing, but the stories and friendships I have gained will forever live on.