An international perspective
USA
Nigerian student Funmilola Osinupebi talks about her experience at Wellesley, a top women’s liberal arts college in Massachusetts, USA. “In my first year hall we handed each other ribbons symbolizing the connection of each generation of women. We then had to make up a chant mocking all the other halls, and march down to the campus lake, where after half an hour of good naturedly screaming insults, we made a wish, and tossed pennies into the lake. We then had to dive in to get them so that the wish was fulfilled. I didn’t do it; I didn’t want my hair to get wet.”
Brazil
For most people, ‘freshers fun’ is the highlight of the academic year, but in Sao Paulo University, it can go a step too far. Glauco De Souza reveals that the older university students shave the heads of some of the first years (the fresh meat), and then write the names of their courses on their faces in lipstick. They then force the first years to beg for money from cars at traffic lights to provide for a beer fund for their torturers. Not surprisingly. some students opt to skip class to avoid it all.
Canada
Fresher’s isn’t always about booze and parties; in Canada more compassionate causes are encouraged. Mathew McDonald, a graduate from the University of Ottawa, tells about how he took part in a ‘Shinerama,’ a massive fundraising event that takes part in over 60 Universities in Canada to raise money to support the fight against cystic fibrosis. It began in 1964 as a charity shoe-shining campaign, but now over 35,000 students annually take to the streets during orientation (Freshers) Week to shine shoes, windows, and even heads, for pennies and a squeaky-clean conscience.
Brunei
At the Institut Teknologi Brunei (ITB) Freshers Week is no laughing matter. Students were welcomed with a strong word of advice; “Do not disappoint parents who want to see their children succeed in life,” from their guest speaker Dr Hjh Naemah Hj Basir, Acting Director of the Institut Teknologi. Students take part in a range of cultural and sporting activities, but they are reminded of the excellent opportunity it provides for a head start in preparing for study. Self-discipline and cleanliness are stressed; and as it is a ‘dry-country’ (the sale and consumption of alcohol is prohibited by law) there’s a fair chance they actually get on with some work.
Indonesia
During Ospek (Freshers) Week, new students are required to go through rites of initiation including marching, dressing up in stupid costumes, and sometimes even push-ups. Students must keep a low profile and abstain from ‘sinning,’ which constitutes anything from being too loud to too beautiful, or just attracting too much attention, leading to punishment by older students. Reprimands can involve extreme forms of hazing, sometimes down-right cruel, such as being forced to eat mud!
Sweden
‘Nollning’, the public humiliation of new students, is so established in Sweden that it’s actually arranged by the student union in conjunction with university personnel. Events organised include the infamous ‘Kladstreck’, or ‘Clothesline’, in which teams of students disrobe and compete to create the longest line of clothes possible. Men often get completely naked in order to win the challenge.
It’s the most natural thing for overseas students to be homesick. I still do occasionally. You might not feel it immediately, already overwhelmed by your longer-than-the-Great-Wall-To-Do list, but as time goes by, when you feel like it’s like Mission Impossible Five to get British humor, when during Easter all the home students have gone and you are the only one left in the whole building, you might start to miss home. It’s alright, and you should know that you’re not the only one. Many are in the same situation and you are not alone. Keep in touch with your family and friends, go out every day, exercise regularly, and when you want to talk many of the university’s support and welfare departments will be happy to listen, plus counseling services and ‘the nightline’ are just a call away. University organizations like ISA (International Student Association) are there as well.
The first people you’re likely to meet are your housemates in hall of residences. As your neighbours, some have the potential to become your best friends for a life. I lived in Langwith E Block during my first year and although I was the only Chinese person, most of my housemates were extremely friendly.
Overseas students tend to stick together and form close circles of their own. They refuse to make contact with world outside, and some don’t even bother to try to understand British culture or improve their English. There is nothing wrong with speaking your language with friends, or enjoying your own food, but to cut off all links with the country you study in? Not such a smart choice. When it comes to speaking a foreign language, a proverb rescues me every time: ”Do the things you fear, and the fear will disappear”.
The important thing is to be really open-minded and to throw your self into all kinds of activities. Of course, some studying is crucial, and some shyness is unavoidable. To quote my grandpa’s wisdom: “University is a place where you learn the knowledge you should learn, and make friends with the people you should be with.”
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