Moving Away from Home for College: The Tales of an International Student in Boston

Born and raised in Niagara Falls, Ontario, I was used to small-town living. I attended an international boarding school as a day student from grade five through grade 12, with a graduating class of just under 150 students. I always knew I wanted to move away for school, so when it came time to start applications Boston University was at the top of my list. Getting my acceptance was a dream come true, but it wasn’t until that moment that I realized how nervous I truly was to move to a whole new country. Here are a few things that I experienced during this big change and some things that helped me adjust in the process.

You will have to manage your time… do it wisely

Between eight classes, field hockey practice after school, rehearsing lines for the musical, and driving off to my dance studio, I was super busy in high school. However, during those years my schedule was mapped out for me and pretty rigid. I quickly learned that college would be much different than that. Your time is not mapped out for you, and instead falls on you to make your own schedule and keep up with all of your work. It’s important to find balance in your schedule; try to make time for homework, exercising, as well as socializing, and mentally and physically preparing for the week ahead. With time and consistency, you’ll settle into a routine that works for you.

Traveling alone isn’t as scary as it seems

This was one thing that didn’t really hit me until the very end of my first semester when I realized my parents were already home and I had to fly back… all by myself. Flying alone was very daunting as I’d never done it before, and if you know anything about the busy Logan Airport it goes without saying that my first solo journey was unpredictable. However, the more I got used to my surroundings in Boston, the easier making these trips became, and the more I already felt “at home” in the city. Now, I get less caught up in traveling and more excited to have lunch at Life Alive, or window shop on Beacon Hill when I get back to Boston. Traveling alone can be scary but it gets easier the more you adjust.

Don’t be afraid to share your story

As a Canadian who frequently traveled in the US, I was stunned by how little many of my new friends at BU knew about Canada. I never really saw myself as international per say but there was always a different reaction when I first told people that I was from Canada. Instead of taking offense to this, I saw it as an opportunity to share a piece of my home with the people I met, as well as learn more about their identity in the process. It’s normal to feel isolated when you’re in a new place that’s far from home so it’s important to find places where you feel comfortable! Whether it’s a trip to BU’s International Students & Scholars Office to ask all of the burning questions or just a conversation with roommates about fun Canadian facts, I’m proud to go to a school that supports me and my story.

It’s okay to be homesick… or not

My first week at school was the most homesick I’d ever been. I’m very close with my family and I don’t think I’d realized how big of an adjustment the move I’d just made was. There were a few times in those first few weeks that I thought about calling my parents and going home, and I couldn’t be happier that I didn’t. Being homesick is a completely normal experience, especially your freshman year. It will come and go in waves and, even as a junior, I still miss being home. College is all about finding your new home away from home. Once I started to adapt to my new environment, I was having so much fun that I sometimes felt guilty for not being homesick, or for calling my parents less than the week before. The adjustment is scary, but the experiences are worth it.

Get involved in your community

One of my biggest tips for future students is to immerse yourself in your new community. In high school I was always very involved in extracurriculars, so I knew I needed to find something that interested me at BU both in and outside of class. I love the friends that I’ve made in college, and one of the best parts about them is that I made all those connections in so many different ways. When I came to BU, I knew that I wanted to join a sorority. During recruitment I was so nervous and there were times when I wasn’t sure what the outcome would be, but I’m so glad I saw it through. Through Alpha Delta Pi, I’ve met friends for life who I can always count on as a pillar of support.

To me, making the most of my BU experience means leaving an impact on the school that’s given me so much. So put your email on the club contact list, go to that audition, raise your hand in class. Your college experience will be far more rewarding when you have different memories to remember it by.

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