Many University students make the choice to move away from home. I opted to move to the residence halls on my home University’s campus. In addition to what you’d expect from living away from home with hundreds of like-minded peers, there were a few discoveries I was surprised to make.
There are lots of different language
Rural Minnesota is not known for its diversity. I was actually relieved, as an international student myself, that the University of Worcester has a sizable international population.
Having grown up in a small town, it’s frankly still exciting to pass people in the halls that are talking and not have the slightest idea what they are saying.
I can honestly say that moving to University has been the most exciting to ever happen to me. If you’re still on the fence about moving away from home, I’d encourage you to try it out at least for a while. It can be hard being on your own for the first time, but it also provides a new level of independence, and common ground with everybody else on campus, too.
I make my own schedule
You don’t have to plan ahead when you want to go somewhere – you can just leave your house and decide where to go while you’re on the way there! Such is the freedom of a University student.
My entire trip to Barcelona was researched and purchased about 72 hours before I left, and I still didn’t know what I was going to do when I got there.
But it doesn’t have to be a big trip: Worcester is a great city for walking. Whenever I ever needed to get some fresh air, I was wandering down Friar Street or around Fort Royal Hill
I plan my own meals
Want to try out an interesting-looking restaurant? There’s nothing stopping you from going right now. Want to live on rice? Consume copious amounts of peanut butter? Put chocolate on everything ?
For better or worse, all is possible when you’re on your own. Last year, I opted for a 3-meal-a-day plan in my residence hall, but in Worcester I had a full kitchen in my flat and the ability to use it however and whenever I want.
I can do this cooking thing
Access to a kitchen comes with great power and responsibility. Honestly, the day I realized I could bake cookies whenever I wanted was the best day ever for me. You don’t even have to spend a lot of time making your food, but even learning to make some simple things, like real American pancakes, makes eating much more interesting than frozen pizzas every night.
It’s also made me get pretty good at grocery shopping and bargain hunting – between Sainsbury’s, ASDA, and the Co-op, Worcester has everything you need.
I can go where I want
The best discovery I made last year was the public transportation system in Duluth. Suddenly, the whole city was open to me even though I didn’t have a car.
In Worcester, the situation is even better, because everything is within walking distance. Travel to Birmingham (or anywhere else in England with a train station) is also ridiculously easy, and all the English cities I’ve been to are very pedestrian friendly.
What was your experience moving to University like? Let me know in the comments!
Worcester Student Life 