International Student Ambassador Irfan shares how orientation helped him start to discover the University and settle into life in Portsmouth
Moving away, different environments, new people and culture, no school friends and familiar faces are a few of the many challenges I faced when I moved to university 2 years ago. But I settled in and I’m now getting ready for my 3rd year living in the UK. My time here started with taking part in the international orientation week. Here is my story.
An array of questions - Where should I be going? How will I adapt? Who will be my friend? Can I just go back home? This is hard, I don’t know what to do? - flew across my brain as I stood outside the Northern Quarter’s gate waiting for someone to help me.
Minutes passed by and as I was indulged in all these thoughts, an International Student Ambassador, Swapnil approached me asking if I was waiting for a campus tour. As shocking as it may sound, I found this the perfect opportunity to brush the thoughts aside and get to explore the campus for the first time, like a tourist visiting on a holiday. Little did I know this campus tour would be the moment I would find all the answers to the questions holding me back.
Swapnil highlighted the different buildings and gave a wonderful feel and experience of the areas around University. He then mentioned the other activities the University has planned throughout the orientation process, as well as highlighting part time jobs.
The wide range of activities throughout freshers and orientation week included: freshers fair, speed-friending, pizza nights with quizzes, mug painting, campus tours, information fair, coach tours around the city and to Portsdown Hill, International student panels, welcome talks, society and sports tasters session, socials and so much more.
I learnt that being an International Student Ambassador is a part time paid role and I applied to it. As part of the International Student Ambassador role, we help and support the University in organising and running all the various activities throughout the new intake period. Through this experience, I learnt so much and made so many new friends, joined societies and sports clubs as well as learnt the history of this beautiful city and now have the opportunity to share these experiences and help new students like yourself settle in and help with any questions or assistance when you are studying with us.
My advice would be to just dive into it, do not be scared of asking and signing up for all the activities and programs as well as make new friends. Be open to learning and cherishing new experiences and make the most of your life at University.
If you ever need any help, just look out for someone wearing a purple shirt stating ‘Ask Me’ at the back - this is what our International Student Ambassador uniform looks like. We are more than happy to help.
I look forward to seeing you all during orientation and cannot wait to show you around campus!