Gorata's first blog!
22 Feb 12
I’m Gorata I’m 18 and studying journalism at Rhodes University. I am from Botswana and have lived in Gaborone (the capital city) for my entire life!
From the moment I got acceptance into uni, I have been terribly excited about my big move! It was only the morning before I left Gaborone, that it sunk in that I was moving to a new country and suddenly got all weepy. After an exhausting packing process, I was all ready to go. On the Saturday that I left, my mom, dad and little brother came with me to the airport and I was so sad to be leaving. I had to try with all my might not to cry all the way to Grahamstown.
When I arrived, I was immediately enchanted. Everything was different. Really different. Instead of flat land, I was on a hill (a very steep one I might add) and there were no more highways or shopping malls. All the stores I’d expect to find in a mall were cutely tucked together along one street. The buildings appeared old and yet majestic and I could actually feel that I was in a very small place.
The campus is beautiful. Everything is very green and I haven’t encountered a single tree that looked familiar. I haven’t felt that much home sickness because as soon as I was taken to res, I felt that I am in the right place. Our house committee was very welcoming. Although we were asked to wake up at early hours, activities like serenading the boy’s res’ were SO much fun and helped us bond.NI actually wish I could do it again.
Recently, lectures have started and the heat is already being felt by some of the students. Because we’ve only gotten into this, I can’t report much on it but I’ll give feedback next time - So far, I like the majority of my classes.
Other things I’ve learned :
O-week is all about the first years and o-week is to be enjoyed! So do enjoy it while it lasts. Most people are feeling a bit anxious and awkward about not knowing anyone and still getting used to the environment. If you talk to people, you’ll find settling in to be a tad easier and the feelings that come with this type of change will gradually start fading. Get to know your neighbours, res mates, house committee and people taking the same classes as you!
Till next time,
Gorata
From the moment I got acceptance into uni, I have been terribly excited about my big move! It was only the morning before I left Gaborone, that it sunk in that I was moving to a new country and suddenly got all weepy. After an exhausting packing process, I was all ready to go. On the Saturday that I left, my mom, dad and little brother came with me to the airport and I was so sad to be leaving. I had to try with all my might not to cry all the way to Grahamstown.
When I arrived, I was immediately enchanted. Everything was different. Really different. Instead of flat land, I was on a hill (a very steep one I might add) and there were no more highways or shopping malls. All the stores I’d expect to find in a mall were cutely tucked together along one street. The buildings appeared old and yet majestic and I could actually feel that I was in a very small place.
The campus is beautiful. Everything is very green and I haven’t encountered a single tree that looked familiar. I haven’t felt that much home sickness because as soon as I was taken to res, I felt that I am in the right place. Our house committee was very welcoming. Although we were asked to wake up at early hours, activities like serenading the boy’s res’ were SO much fun and helped us bond.NI actually wish I could do it again.
Recently, lectures have started and the heat is already being felt by some of the students. Because we’ve only gotten into this, I can’t report much on it but I’ll give feedback next time - So far, I like the majority of my classes.
Other things I’ve learned :
O-week is all about the first years and o-week is to be enjoyed! So do enjoy it while it lasts. Most people are feeling a bit anxious and awkward about not knowing anyone and still getting used to the environment. If you talk to people, you’ll find settling in to be a tad easier and the feelings that come with this type of change will gradually start fading. Get to know your neighbours, res mates, house committee and people taking the same classes as you!
Till next time,
Gorata
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