When I first arrived at Durham Uni, it was a completely different world back then. Travelling in the midst of a global pandemic was exhausting, and COVID restrictions meant that I didn’t get to experience a proper Freshers Week (later remedied as I took on the role of a frep!)
As a brand new college, South College was also experiencing some growing pains. Despite the absence of any predecessors to learn from, the freps tried their best to make me feel at home. As an international student I had arrived earlier than everyone else, so the vacant college grounds were still aching in anticipation to be filled with the exuberance of a new community.
I remember carrying four suitcases down the stairs with my mom and seeing the sign above for the first time. I finally got a sense of truly embarking on a new chapter of my life. After checking in, a frep kindly helped to carry my stuff to my room on the top floor. At the same time, another girl was moving in as well and she turned out to be my flatmate! It definitely reminded me that I was not alone on this novel journey.
After settling down, my mom and I went into town to buy supplies (I didn’t even have a pillow!) and grab lunch. Coming from Hong Kong, a metropolis, the coziness of Durham’s town centre was foreign but enchanting, the prospect of spending three years in this place thus seemed so exciting to me. This was further amplified by an amazing meal at Flat White Kitchen, its popularity unbeknownst to me at that time.
Starting university in the middle of a pandemic was unique, but I’m certainly glad that future cohorts can experience the full extent of it again. Perhaps my experience has given me the rare opportunity to enjoy the tranquillity of an empty Durham, which sometimes has its charms!
Discover more
Check out our Welcome and Orientation webpages here.
Follow our students on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube
