Student Profile: Priyanka, 4th year International Business Management with Marketing Student
82 Months Ago
Priyanka (on the right) was born in Hong Kong to Indian parents and now lives in Warsaw, Poland. She knows a bit about what it’s like to move around, but coming to Edinburgh all by herself was a completely new challenge for her.
“I wanted to study in the UK because I wanted to study abroad. When I decided on Heriot-Watt I thought I was too late to apply to university, but they said “we have a space for you” and I took it.
Preparing for the move was a really stressful time because I’d never lived away from my parents before. I did a lot of preparation; going shopping and checking the Student Union website to see what you should pack. You know they had an A-Z list of things to bring? I used that a lot!
I had to apply for a student visa, but my first application was rejected because of a small error. I had to reapply and the visa didn’t come until three weeks after uni had started! While I was still in Poland, I was assigned a mentor; a girl in
When I first landed in Edinburgh, it was raining and cold. Everyone spoke really differently, which was so difficult for me to understand. I remember the taxi driver who took me to campus had a Scottish accent, and I couldn’t understand what he was saying!
Living in Poland, I was familiar with my city and quite confident. In Edinburgh, however, I was quite scared because I didn’t know anything, or what to do! I arrived three weeks late, and I didn’t know anyone. I would sit in my room in George Burnett and hear people outside laughing, and I would think to myself: “I don’t have any friends!”
I went home in October just a month after being in Edinburgh because I felt homesick and missed my friends and family. Back in Edinburgh, I spoke to one of my lecturers and said: “I don’t know what to do! I’ve arrived late, and I don’t know how to make friends!” She told me: “Honestly, don’t worry. You’ll meet new people all the time, and you’ll meet so many of them you’ll make friends soon,” she was right.
One day, I ran into one of my kitchen mates, and he said: “Let me show you the lounge,” I went with him and there were all these people there, and that’s how I started to meet everyone. From there I met more people in my halls, on my course, and then while out and about. The Freshers Ball was really good. It was so nice seeing everyone dressing up and getting photos taken and having fun. I saw all these people from different courses who I didn’t usually see every day, and it was nice to see everyone in the same place at the same time.
Of course, I came here to study, and that was a new experience. When I was in school they’d check your homework and assign work to you weekly, so you kept on track with what you were learning. At uni, you’re left to do everything by yourself. No one’s going to chase after you; you have to work hard if you want to do well. My grades have improved the longer I’ve been here.
I’m glad I came to Heriot-Watt. Obviously, it was overwhelming at first, and I would think to myself: “I might as well just study in Poland because it will be easier being near my family!” But you learn so much, and you become so much more independent, and you learn all these life skills which I’m really thankful for. I’m glad to have met the people I have as well. You become more confident in yourself and less dependent on other people – that’s a big one, independence.
I still do sometimes get a bit homesick. When I’m feeling like that I’ll call my mom, or Skype with my sister, or watch a movie or bake cupcakes with friends – just try not to spend time alone, and keep myself distracted. But now I don’t feel homesick that often – I feel like you get used to not living at home. I feel like a lot of international students come late, or have problems with their visas – I would tell them don’t worry, it will be fine! Be yourself, be patient, and always have a positive attitude towards life!”
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