Tuesday 06-10-2020 - 15:45

By Constance Lam

Constance Lam is a third-year English Literature student from Hong Kong. When she’s not reading, eating, or baking before a deadline, she’s probably busy with extracurriculars. Among other things, Constance is Colleges and Societies Coordinator of the International Students’ Association (ISA), Founder and President of Durham’s first Bubble Tea SocieTea (yes, you read that correctly), Sponsorship Secretary of D.U.E.L.S. and Vice-President of Van Mildert College International Society. 

I remember my first day in Durham: tired and jetlagged, I was worried about not making enough new friends, and I feared that I would give off a negative first impression. 

Luckily, my second day was much better: I met some amazing people who remain my closest friends to this day. Exploring Durham and college together, we chatted away until late in the evening — and that is the moment I knew I belonged here.

I am very lucky to have a mostly positive first-year experience: not only do I love my course, I also met wonderful friends in college. As an international student, adapting to a new environment is always necessary. Here, I’ll share what I wish I knew before starting my first year, and in some cases, how I was able to adapt. 

1. Limited access to authentic cuisine from your home city/country 

In Hong Kong, I’m very fortunate to eat amazing food every day, from home-cooked Chinese meals to all kinds of international cuisines. In Durham, my selection was much more limited: I desperately missed the food I ate at home. 

How I adapted: I decided to channel my energy into learning how to cook, experimenting with new recipes I could make in a limited college kitchen. Combining my passions for writing and food, I wrote recipes and reviews for Palatinate, eventually becoming an editor for the Food & Drink section. 

Beyond this, I started a society about my favourite drink — Durham University Bubble Tea SocieTea. Through organising events, I was able to meet a lot of new people, and create a space for students to feel more at home. Through Bubble Tea SocieTea, I was able to collaborate with the ISA and meet many of their members.

2. Off-campus housing after halls — avoiding housing drama 

I vividly remember the mad dash for housing towards the end of Michaelmas term. Considering Durham’s huge student population, looking for student accommodation can be a competitive, time-consuming, and expensive process. 

Tip: Know what you want in a student house, and don’t rush the housing process. Be reasonable, polite, and empathetic when discussing with housemates, but make sure your priorities are clear. Don’t let others pressure you into doing something you don’t want to do. 

Consider these factors: 
Budget: How much are you willing to pay for rent? Are you looking for a bills inclusive property, or would you prefer otherwise? 
Location: Do you want to be closer to town or the science site? Popular areas include Church Street, Whinney Hill, Gilesgate, Viaduct, Claypath, and more. 
Housemates: How many people do you want to live with? 
Living habits: Do you prefer a quieter house, or want a livelier environment? 

Guarantors

I wish someone had told me about guarantors in first-year: when signing my second-year house, my contract required me to have a UK-based guarantor: otherwise, I would have to pay all my rent up front.   

You can find more information about looking for a home or contact an advisor directly on the SU’s online Advice Hub.

Summer storage

If you’re flying home for the summer, and if there’s a gap between your previous and current housing contract, you need to work out storage arrangements. 

Ensure that you have enough time to move your items into your new house, or into a friend’s house for storage. Otherwise, you may have to pay for an external storage company, which may be quite expensive. 

3. Friendships 
You don’t have to be friends with every single person from your college, corridor, or home city.  Friendship comes naturally, and Durham is a big university even though it may seem small. 

In your time here, you’ll get to meet so many interesting people. For me, the best way to do this was through college, clubs, and societies - meeting people who share your interests!

 

Get more out of your time at Durham by activating your Durham SU account. Every Durham student is automatically a member of Durham SU, and your account will allow you to join student groups and have full access to the benefits of the SU. Find out how to activate your account here.