Hi! My name is Fasya, and last semester, I had the incredible opportunity to study at Queen Mary University of London. I am an English Studies student from Universitas Indonesia. I was fortunate to be part of the Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards (IISMA), a scholarship program by the Indonesian Ministry of Education. My time in London was an immensely enriching experience, a journey of emotions that had a huge impact on me and shaped me into a different person by the end of my journey.

The first thing that took me by surprise when I arrived in London was undeniably the weather. Coming from Indonesia, a tropical country with just two seasons – rainy or sunny – I was not a fan of London’s weather at first. Landing at the airport, my friends and I were greeted by grey skies and a chill that seeped through our shirts. The rain was so unpredictable as well – just when you thought it would be a sunny day, 30 minutes later it’s suddenly raining. I immediately felt homesick because of this, but I gradually embraced London’s weather as something unique. Layering clothes became essential, and my umbrella became a friend that I would never leave at my dorm. Now, after coming back home, I find myself missing the wind that blew every time I walk out from Mile End station.

Coming to a foreign country to study, there were so many concerns I had in mind – culture, food, and even language. As a Muslim, one of the reasons I decided to choose London was because of its Muslim community. I am grateful that finding halal foods was never an issue for me while studying there, especially in East London where QMUL is located. I could easily find halal restaurants right outside the main gate and around the area with diverse options. The loaded box from WNGZ became my personal favorite! In other places, when the waiters noticed my hijab, they would also immediately tell me whether the foods are halal or not and suggest alternatives that I could order. The people I met at Queen Mary Islamic Society suggested I visit Whitechapel market for good quality and affordable hijabs, and it was an exciting journey strolling around there. The warmth and hospitality of everyone in London was truly memorable. I was fortunate not to encounter discrimination during my stay.

I was so happy to be surrounded by a diverse community at QMUL. Despite being a foreigner, I never felt like a minority – there seemed to be a place for everyone on campus. It was my first time hearing so many languages spoken in one place. I regret not taking the chance to learn some of them, though. Life in the dorm was also really enjoyable. It was always fun to hear my flat mates playfully debating the taste of food because we all came from different backgrounds. My flat mates were definitely among the best people I met in London, and I would not trade them for anything.

Speaking about my academic experience, the teaching method at Queen Mary is significantly different from my home country. I had less workload compared to my home university in Indonesia. Most of the modules that I took only had two assignments – one in the middle of the semester and another at the end. The seminar sessions undoubtedly pushed me to self-study the material, which I’m grateful for as it has helped me to develop a bigger sense of responsibility for my studies. QMUL’s wide range of modules allowed me to explore subjects both within and outside my field of study. It was really nice to learn with people from different backgrounds as it really helped me to broaden my perspectives.

Overall, my experience at Queen Mary University of London as a study abroad student was the best thing that could ever happen to me in 2023. I am grateful for this opportunity – it greatly helped me to grow into a better version of myself. Every memory that I made with my friends in London, those who came together with me from Indonesia, and the incredible people I met along the way, will forever hold a special place in my heart.