‘Geography is a flavour’
by Nussaïbah Raja - September 26th, 2009
‘Geography is a flavour’ says Starbucks and I cannot help but agree. There’s nothing better than tasting another part of the world, exploring a new city and meeting new people. These last two weeks sure have been hectic, with me going around everywhere, trying to understand most of the stuff and more importantly, trying not to get lost. But I have to say, London is a beautiful city, at the heart of which I discovered different cultures, blandly seen as one from afar.
Okay, I have to admit it though, I have met so many people whose faces or names are just a blur in my mind. And some who surely I do remember but just feel weird about going to talk to them. And of course there are others who I want to meet again and meeting we are. But it doesn’t that if I’m loving everything about ‘my new home’ that I’ve already forgotten about home. Because the truth is, I’m somehow missing it, its familiarity and warmth for swimming in unknown waters can be quite scary sometimes.
But quite an experience when you’re trying to blending in and there are hundreds of others in the same situation as you. Curious questions become just mere politeness as you’re trying to make a conversation and leaving someone in the middle of that same conversation is not considered as rude when there are ‘potential candidates’ waiting around to become your new best friend. But it’s a fact that among all these anxious faces, you do find some who are bound to become very good friends or even more.
Fresher’s week is finally over and the craziness just feels like a tiny memory at the back of my head. But I do start feeling dizzy as I start thinking of the 2+ hours of walking around in Hampstead Heath, trying to find all the points and then, the way to our meeting place using a scary map which I managed to read, to some extent. I think that the Department of Geography was trying to get rid of us on the very first day, tsk tsk. Though it would really have been funny to see the search parties coming to look for us geographers. And damned embarrassing.
- THE Map
What’s even more embarrassing is that I actually missed my own country at Fresher’s Fair today. Okay, I didn’t miss them because no one from the Mauritian Society was actually there, but I didn’t know that it even existed until I actually got round to reading the plan. Instead, I joined the Japan, Creative Writing and Environment & Wildlife Conservation societies and many others which I don’t even remember. It’s like you want to join everything and obviously can’t. Oh, and there was the Thai Boxing stuff because the guy kept talking and wouldn’t let us go. Well, he’s excused, because he was so hot.
I think, in brief, all I want to say is that I’m okay. I’m not even missing the weather, it was real sunny today. Oh and by the way, Blog Action Day 2009 is near. The theme this year is climate change, any of you bloggers interested?
Starting out at university is a true and complete change in life, but to travel across the world as a part of that journey is an even bigger step to take
. We here are all so happy to hear that you’ve arrived safely and are having an amazing time 
The notion of geography as a flavour is one which is very true; to travel to new places in the world and to be immersed within new cultures is an experience which truly cannot be paralleled
. Cities at the confluence of different cultures can draw you in and capture your heart, their beauty unrivaled 
. London is a city brimming with so much energy and spirit it is hard not to feel at home, even if your roots lie far away 
Looking out for new friends is a true challenge amongst the vast numbers of people moving in alongside you, though with all true friendships, you will meet at some point if not through searching then through destiny’s games
. The people you meet will be friends for life I am sure 
The orienteering course looked really fun – I’m certain they weren’t trying to guarantee themselves a long break by disposing of their new students on the first day of the course (I’d be careful in lectures; you never know what their next evil plan may be)
. The different societies sound so interesting, particularly that of creative writing, though Thai boxing seems to have a lot going for it 
It looks like a brilliant course and a brilliant university, and one which I’m sure will lead to three very happy years
. We all look forward to reading of your experiences here on here, and wish you all the best for your time in London 
I love the idea of Blog Action Day; it sounds like a fantastic project and hopefully one which will draw more attention to a problem that has slipped under the radar somewhat recently as the news has focused more and more on the global financial crisis. But whilst money markets and falling stock prices may only be a part-time blip, climate change is an issue which will have a generational impact if sufficient action is not taken. Hopefully through the project, general awareness of the true impacts of the issue can be raised and heightened
Good luck on the new beginning. Keep exploring London…it’s amazing the stuff you’ll learn by just observing someone or anything at all…have fun!
Glad to see you’re having fun in your ‘new home’! Meeting new people and starting Uni can be both challenging and great! Keep up the exploration of the unknown! Enjoy Geography to the most! Have fun and take care!
well nussie.. all i hav to say is am very happy 2 hav u here.. n ya, i dnt need to read ur blog anymore to knw wats going on.. am bak to the live n direct stuff!! hehe!! just kidding.. i love reading ur posts hun!! bizu
boo x x x
geography? bleukh!!!
Travelling I love but geography…come on…lets just leave it there… but good that ur promoting climate change…
Sounds like a great experience and it is nice you are only missing home a little and not a lot.