Figuring It Out

The Leeds International Student Welcome Team is doing a fantastic job helping the steady stream of new students coming to the university every day. They are so friendly and so helpful, as a lot of them have studied abroad as well and understand the logistical difficulties we’re facing. We’ve already been to their office three times now, either for arrival briefings, random questions, afternoon tea, or informative talks. In addition to the city tour we took today, next week is packed with things to do, either academic or social. I can tell they’re going to be an invaluable resource for us during the next nine months or so.

Johanna and I spent the morning exploring the city centre again (there’s so much to see!) and trying to find an international plug adapter; we accidentally blew the fuse in our temporary accommodation—a really important fuse too, apparently, because both of our rooms lost power—so we’re trying to fix the situation. We’re pretty much responsible for our own internet connectivity, since all of the computer labs and student resource rooms are closed for the weekend, so this plug is pretty much essential :).

The city of Leeds keeps surprising me. It’s alternately working-class and young professional-oriented; fiercely traditional, yet obviously trendy. There’s also a huge mix of cultures. You’re more likely to find Japanese or Thai food before roast pheasant, for example J. Although, you’re also more likely to find Subway before anything else—there seems to be EIGHTEEN franchises in the city centre alone!

But I’m not complaining. I heart my Subway.

Next week I’m hoping to figure out my academic situation and meet the magnanimous Secretary Hauder (of School of English fame), who emailed his international students many times over the summer offering academic support and encouragement. Johanna’s also taking English Lit, so I’m glad to have a friend going through the same process :). It’s been great meeting her this week, as well as many of the other newly-arrived students, who are all equally friendly and enthusiastic about coming here, even so soon after their looonnnnggg journeys from home! The record so far is a 16-hour flight from Shanghai.

I hope the first week of school went well for everyone back home—good luck as another year begins!