student blogger

I left the Seychelles feeling like a big fish in a small pond, and now I feel like a small fish in the sea. Studying abroad has made me independent, open minded but most of all, looking at the competition out there, more hard working than ever.

As exams approach, I think of the end when I can hopefully call myself a law graduate. The usual reaction to the title can be depicted with a picture of a lawyer turning a man upside down and shaking him to empty his pockets of every penny. Nonetheless, the majority seem impressed.

I'm often asked legal advice from friends. For example, a short anecdote of a friend who gives me an urgent call for legal advice: "If I were to take my Xbox to university and sat down playing, could I be criminally liable for anything?". And so I answered, "yes, extracting electricity unlawfully". I certainly should have taken insurance before giving out legal advice as a first year, but giving free legal advice becomes the norm as a law student.

I see it! I see it! It's the finishing line. Three years has gone by so quickly.  I feel like London has become my 'home away from home.' A bitter sweet moment as I think of returning to the Seychelles and leaving my life here behind.

As the months draw near, every so often a tear rolls off my cheek as I think of this part of my life coming to an end. In 2009, it felt like I would be embarking on the longest journey of achievement ever and three years down the line, it does not feel long enough. Where has the time gone by? I feel sad as I think of leaving my friends, my 'chosen' siblings and the city of lights.

No Regrets

It must be said though, I have no regrets. I have met people who have made me laugh to tears, smile to my ears and love without boundaries. The same people I now have to leave behind as each of us follow our own paths. Saying Goodbye is indeed the hardest word. Although, I will remember them forever for making this journey bearable and memorable. I can only hope we keep in touch.

Amy is an international student currently studying at Kingston University in London. Here she describes how Chinese New Year is celebrated in her home country of Taiwan.

The most important holiday in Taiwan is the Lunar New Year. It normally comes around one month after the Western New Year, and there are similarities between Christmas and Chinese New Year. On this special holiday, families get together for the festivities. Whilst visiting relatives and friends, we greet them with New Year sayings, wishing them good luck, good health, great fortune and so on. Adults give children little red envelopes with money inside them instead of gifts.

At New Year's time, most families paste signs on and around the front doors of their homes. These signs consist of black or gold Chinese characters written on squares or strips of red paper, because red is a happy colour which brings good luck. You always see red as the main decorative colour during this holiday.

There has not been much good news for international students recently. Everything from the implementation of stricter visa requirements, to the recent events in the news, has shocked many students, leading them to question is 'England international student-ist'? 

To start with the worst, a twenty-three-year-old Indian boy Anuj Bidve was fatally shot on December 26th during a night in Salford. It is believed that the shooting was unprovoked and racially motivated. Is England racist? Equally, in today's England, a ban WAS going to be issued on international students in Plymouth preventing them from using shops in the town centre. This plan came from a belief that international students were the cause of unruly behaviour in the area and an increase in shoplifting. Back to the days of segregation? Here? Today in 2012's England?

And let's not forget the lady on the tram from Croydon, which I assume everyone has YouTubed, shouting racist remarks at immigrants. One takes a look at London and would dispute the very possibility of England being racist, having welcomed hundreds of thousands of international students into the city, all of whom enjoy the rights, the amenities and the opportunities of any other Londoner.

Boots. check. Gloves. Check. Scarf. Check. Winter days have arrived. The temperatures have dropped, the Christmas decorations are up and the festive spirit is in the air.

One can feel the festive mood in the weeks leading to Christmas. The beautifully decorated Christmas trees, grand and majestic, the lights in Oxford Circus that demand a walk through the busy streets once the sun has set. People thinking of family and presents. A lovely time of year. Below are a few suggestions to get into the Christmas spirit: