​

            In this semester 5, I was not there at Taylor’s University to continue my study. I was selected to be an exchange student for this semester 5 to study abroad. My exchange programme was an extraordinary one, why? Because my exchange programme was funded by Erasmus. I did my semester 5 at Manchester Metropolitan University, which people called it Manchester Met. It just a short period of 3 months here at Manchester, but what I can tell you know is that, this 3 months may be the best ever that I have experienced.

            Going to UK was my dream since I was a child. It started with my hobby on football. One of my favourite team is here, which is Chelsea. However, me and my family cannot go to UK due to very high cost top apply for visa, tickets, and living cost. Therefore, given a chance to go to UK, especially funded by Erasmus, is a rare opportunity that I would not miss out.

            It was all started at 9th September 2016, when I arrived here. It such a long flight hours I have ever done. Almost 24 hours from my home town in Indonesia. At that moment, I was enthusiastic about this journey. The moment I step in to Manchester, my face event could not stop from smiling as my friend, who accompany me to go to Manchester (as he study here as well), said that to me.

            I decided to go there early as I want to adapt first with the environment. It was a bit cold when I arrived at Manchester, but I able to manage it as my parent have prepared me with the weather in UK. Furthermore, during this 3 months, I really like the weather even if it was cold, because I can go to school by walking without sweating, unlike in Indonesia or Malaysia. Besides the weather, what I like about British people, is the fact that they were friendly and here, during my study, I have meet a lot of new local friends as well.

            Besides meet a lot of local friends, here in Manchester, I tried to found an Indonesian organisation as I am an Indonesian as well. Later on, I’d be able to found them and meet a lot of Indonesian friends who study in Manchester. Since then, I quite often travelling around UK’s cities with them. We went to Edale, York, London, Liverpool, Chester, Lake District, Blackpool, Llandudno, and go to Harry Potter studio tour in Watford, London. My friends said that we were here for only a short period. Therefore, it will be better if I can utilise this short period to travel around UK. Last time, I also went to Chelsea stadium, Stamford Bridge. It was like a dream come true as mentioned before that Chelsea is my favourite team.

            Talking about my learning experience here at Manchester Met, I found it very interesting and different from what I have so far in Taylor’s University. Back to my home university, in one semester I can get until 8 subjects to do. Whereas here in Manchester Met, during this term, I have to do only 4 subjects. It is very contrast with what I get in Taylor’s University. It less intense, but the assignments given, even only 4 for the whole term, was not easy to do. Self-study like reading book in the library do some research was needed in order to complete the assignments. Therefore, it was a different learning experience I have ever had so far, even in Indonesia, it was similar like in Malaysia.

            Besides developing my knowledge through academic session in Manchester Met, I also developed my other soft skill here in Manchester by joining extra activity outside the school. For example, I joined MMU sport activities which done weekly, like badminton. I also joined the Indonesian society’s soccer team and last time we involved in a tournament, which called Nusantara Cup, held in Newcastle, where we reach until quarter finals.

            Living experience here in UK was very different with what I had so far in Malaysia. The atmosphere and the environments here is very good for people to stay and live in UK. Besides the weather mentioned above, I really enjoyed the lifestyle here. People often use bus or walk to go everywhere and now I used to it already. The bus here is very clean and the pedestrian walk in Manchester really well maintained by the government.

            There is a lot of culture mixed up here in Manchester due to various student from different country. It was resulted in different restaurants were opened in Manchester. Even I quite often cook for my daily food at home, because it was very expensive here to eat outside every day, I would not miss out this opportunity to try out local café and food. There are some restaurants that I like the most. First is Almost Famous which is the best and first burger restaurant I have visited once I arrived in Manchester. Sometimes, if I missed out Chinese food, I will go to Happy Season for their roast pork. Sunday afternoon, I quite often go to Moose after finished up with my church because they have the best coffee ever I have experienced. Last restaurant that I have tried with my friends is Alabama, where they have Philly’s cheese steak that very nice.

            All that I can say in the end is that this 3 months have been an extraordinary experience that I have experienced in my life. It was a different kind of thing that I have ever had. It was a totally different whole new world for me. I learn a lot, travel a lot and make a bunch of great friends as well. Thanks to Erasmus who have given me a chance to go to UK. I believe without them, I could not go to UK for a long time. It has been my dream since I was a child. I believe that this experience will enhance my knowledge, skill, and employability in the future. If given a chance to go back here someday, I will surely take it.