A journey of growth as an international student in Northampton
Date 22 November 2023
Starting a degree as an international student in the UK can have its challenges, but for MA TESOL student, Anh, it has been a time of growth and development.
It has been nine months since I arrived in Northampton to study. A lot has changed for the good and challenging things have happened. Please read on to find out some of the ways I have grown as a person since starting my journey as an international student.
Making new friendships
Firstly, thanks to the group Friendship International: Students and Hosts Northampton, known as FISH, I’ve made more friends from all corners of the world. Even though we come from different countries, and cultures, and speak different languages, we all found a home in FISH—a place where I feel welcomed and that I belong. Every Monday night they hold a global café on campus. I look forward to going there to chat with my friends, enjoy free food and snacks, and play games together. It’s a time to create precious memories. During the summer, FISH also oragnise trips for students. I learned more about the language and culture through doing these trips. Additionally, I explored new places in Northampton. Initially, Northampton to me was just the area around the University and the town centre with many stores, shopping malls, and supermarkets. But now, I know it much better, discovering that it’s a peaceful and beautiful place with many sights like Delapré Abbey, Beckets Park, and Castle Ashby Gardens to name a few.
Let’s talk jobs
Secondly, I consider myself lucky to have landed my first part-time job here as a Unibuddy ambassador. It provided more opportunities to talk to prospective students online and help them out with any queries about the university. I love this role as once upon a time, I was in their shoes too as a prospective student.
Additionally, I took on another role as a Welcome Team member, where I got to work on university events such as open days. I got to know more staff from Student Services and who are all incredibly encouraging. While working on campus, they’d walk past us, asking if we were doing okay, and sometimes even treating us to candies or chocolate. I also got to know my teammates better through this role.
Recently, I received a job offer as a marketing student ambassador for the Events team, and I am proud to represent the University of Northampton. I can’t wait to start my new role. I truly enjoy the jobs and the meaningful experiences they bring, enriching my student life for which I’m grateful.
My home away from home
One of the things that has made me enjoy my life in Northampton is living in St John’s Halls thanks to my flatmates who have turned this place into my second home. From my first flat to the second one, whenever I go out, I can’t wait to get back to my flat in St John’s, and I call it ‘home’. I enjoy small talks in the kitchen, and sometimes my flatmates help me with assignments, or we share about our days, studies, and even food. I love that even though we all come from different backgrounds, we share a big passion for food, cooking, and having meals together. It’s quite enjoyable to see us transition from flatmates to friends.
Speak up!
Last but not least, I’d like to share that when I first came here, I have to admit my English wasn’t perfect, since I spent half of my life learning English through reading and writing only. But now, the more I talk and spend time with my international friends, I am proud to say I’ve learned a lot from them, and my English is much better, and I feel more confident than ever.
So, if you ask me how my life in Northampton is now, I’d proudly say that it has been so far, so good, and it feels like a story that I never want to see end.
Anh is an MA TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) student, who joined us from Vietnam.