International perspective: from Kuwait to Bristol

As a high school student, I always thought of living abroad as a step towards happiness. It might have been my belief that freedom would solve my problems, but that wasn’t true.

As high school students, most of us have no idea how different university life can be. We imagine an idealistic future. Yes, you will meet new friends, explore cities you have yet to visit and get to try things you are not familiar with. However, there are limitations that it’s important to be aware of.

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Time management, homesickness, culture shock and thoughts of family always seem to creep up on international students. I come from a small, beautiful and very conservative country on the Gulf called “Kuwait”. There are a million things I could say about my country, but the truth is, I knew I had to push myself to the next level.

As an adult, I could not allow myself to be lazy. Back home, I had everything done for me, and although I was lucky, that hindered my personal development. I was ready for a new challenge, and what better challenge was there than to attend the University of Bristol in the UK?

When I first arrived in Bristol, I was just amazed. I felt so free for the first few weeks, with no one nagging me, using my time as I wished, leaving with no curfew and so on. Then I realised that I had begun to miss home.

I suddenly lost my appetite and felt sad during my activities. There is nothing worse than feeling sad. However, feeling sad and bored is even worse. I hated it, and I began to regret my decision to leave my perfect life back home. However, a visit to one barber shop down Broad Weir Street changed everything for the better.

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I met a fellow Kuwaiti student, and we talked extensively about life abroad. I was then invited to a football game at 9pm to meet the other students from my country. When I arrived, I greeted everyone with a massive smile across my face and played alongside them. I hung out with them every day for the next two weeks and dreaded the thought of staying isolated in my apartment.

This student life is a roller coaster. There will come times when you feel sad, bored and negative. However, those lows always rise to unprecedented highs. After meeting friends who reminded me of back home, I was no longer sad. I had no reason to be. I was on top of my coursework, worked out every day, cooked, travelled and did everything I imagined this life to be.

As I write this blog, I am back home for the break, feeling as nervous as ever. Exams are coming up, and I am studying non-stop. I am starting to feel sad and anxious again. However, I am not new to this. I know in my heart that this will not last, and I have learned how to deal with it this time.

If there was anything I took away from my start here in Bristol, it is that our emotions are temporary. We will succeed if we keep moving forward.

Although my hope is to advise fellow students on life in England, my best advice is to experience it for yourself. Some may find the study abroad experience difficult, and some will embrace it, but it always comes down to one question: are you ready to struggle to be the best version of yourself?

It does not really matter where you end up. The secret ingredient is to keep trying to win your battles no matter how good or bad things may seem. Sometimes you will miss home, but once you embrace the cards you have been dealt, you will evolve, and you will succeed.

From a privileged life back in the desert, I now cook, clean, study, learn and grow using my own skills and the lessons I have learned. Life abroad is not for everyone, but it is for those willing to improve and unravel the endless possibilities. Take a leap of faith and enjoy your decision.