I’ve been living in the UK for six months now. When I first came to Newcastle, everything felt new and unfamiliar. Every street, every building, every experience felt fresh and exciting...
But now, something has changed. This city is starting to feel like home. Every time I come back from traveling, I feel a sense of comfort and familiarity that I didn’t have before.
So today, I’d like to share some of the changes I’ve experienced during this time.
My language skills
The biggest change is probably my English. When I first arrived, I felt extremely nervous every time I had to communicate in English. Sometimes I was so tense that my voice would even shake. I was constantly worried about whether people could understand me, and even simple daily conversations felt stressful.
But now, I feel much more comfortable speaking in English. I don’t overthink every sentence as much as I used to, and I can express myself more naturally. Of course, there are still moments when I struggle, especially when people speak very fast or with strong accents. Sometimes I still need to ask people to repeat themselves. However, I’ve learned to accept that it’s part of the process. Instead of feeling frustrated, I try to focus on improving step by step. Compared to six months ago, I feel much more confident, and that alone already feels like big progress.
From working life to student life
Another important change for me is adjusting from working life back to being a student. Before coming to the UK, I was working full-time, and my life had a very fixed structure. My schedule, responsibilities, and even my way of thinking were quite different.
When I first started my master’s programme, I found it surprisingly difficult to adapt. Suddenly, I had more flexibility in my time, but also more responsibility to manage everything by myself. There was no clear “finish line” like leaving the office at the end of the day. Instead, I had to plan my own study schedule, manage assignments, and stay disciplined without external pressure.
At the beginning, I sometimes felt lost or even a bit unproductive. But gradually, I started to build my own rhythm again. I began to plan my days more carefully, balancing study, personal time, and rest. Now, I feel like I am slowly getting used to this student lifestyle, and I’m learning how to make it work for me.
My daily life
Another change is in my daily life. At the beginning, I thought eating out in the UK would be too expensive, so I cooked most of my meals at home. Cooking became a way to control my budget and also gave me a sense of stability in a new environment.
Over time, though, I started to allow myself small treats. Now, I occasionally go to restaurants and enjoy good food as a reward after a busy day or week. It’s a small shift, but it has made my life here feel more balanced and enjoyable. I realised that it’s not just about saving money, but also about creating moments that make life more enjoyable.
Building a running routine
Running has also become an important part of my routine. It helps me clear my mind and stay physically active, especially when I feel stressed about studies or daily life.
I’ve discovered several beautiful running routes in and around the city, and I truly enjoy the time I spend outdoors. Running in a new environment also makes me feel more connected to the city. Recently, I signed up for the Newcastle Marathon in May. It’s a personal challenge, but I believe it will become a meaningful memory connected to this city. It’s not just about running the race, but about proving to myself that I can stay consistent and committed.
Time passes quickly during a one-year master’s programme. It almost feels like everything is happening too fast. But at the same time, I can see how much I’ve changed in just six months.
Looking ahead, I want to make the most of the next six months by continuing to explore the city, improving myself, and creating more meaningful experiences here.
By Yumeka, a PGT Marketing student and Student Content Creator