An Underage International Student’s Perspective

Coming to university, I faced two challenges: I was from another country and I was 16, quite a bit younger than most other first year students.

I had never been to this country before coming to university here. My father’s job required him to work in different countries so as a result, my family moved around quite a bit while I was a kid. Even though we moved around a lot, I always attended private international schools which were very similar to the American school system. My life situation taught me to adjust quickly to different environments. I learned how to pick up on things quite easily and fit in as much as anyone, academically and socially.

Being from another country was not a hindrance for the most part but there were times when I would be reminded that I was not from the same place as most of my peers. For example, a TV show would come on which I was not familiar with but all my housemates would be. I would ask them what the show was about and they would reply with weird looks. I would try not to take it personally, but at times their lack of sensitivity was a little unnerving.

Living in so many different places is what got me interested in international development. In the first month of school, I thought I was well prepared mainly because I had a stronger head on my shoulders than others. I knew why I was there and what I would like to accomplish in my time at university. I had originally planned to major solely in English Literature, but in my second year I added International Development Studies and started a joint major.

I was quite excited when I first arrived to university. I valued the presence of my parents who had come to help with the transition to university life. The first time they left, I was sad to see them go, but after they left again in January I was satisfied to see them leave. I had become accustomed to living in a new country without them.

Moving to this new country was also the first time I had encountered cold weather. I was ecstatic with the first snowfall, but by January I was ready for the horrid weather to be done with. I did not have proper winter apparel and had a hideous winter jacket that was previously my mother’s. I disliked it so much I refused to wear it and was confined to the indoors for the rest of the winter. The following year I bought a new coat and boots. A fashion nightmare I would no longer be.

I lived in residence in my first year but that’s a whole other story. I involved myself in extra-curricular activities; I was on the volleyball team, on council and sung in the choir. I also participated in fencing.

I found most of the other first years were solely interested in sitting around, partying and drinking. However that did not interest me. I did enjoy going out and having a good time, but not to the same extent. The library and coffee shops downtown became my best friends. I felt quite different from other people and spent a lot of time by myself. I felt pressured to change my behaviour and conform to their lifestyle, but I knew what I wanted and that was not it. That being said, I still had friends, and eventually I found people who fit into my niche.

University may not end up being what you expect it to be; you may end up feeling alone and different, however there is nothing wrong with that. If you have made up your mind about the person you want to be, stick to it despite what others may say. That being said, feel free to try new things and experiment. You might be surprised that you enjoy something you never expected to.