My experience of the Pre-departure competition

Thuy Nguyen

Faculty: Arts, Humanities, Education and Social Sciences
School: School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Course: MA Applied Linguistics and TESOL

8 January 2024

Thuy spills the beans about an amazing experience – the Pre-departure Competition.

Trust me, it was such a wild ride, and winning a voucher made it all the more unforgettable! Now, every time I look back at the video I made, it's like flipping through the pages of the coolest memory book ever.

About the video

Thuy Nguyen standing next to a lake in autumn

Picture this – the airport chaos, the laughs with friends, family, and my fellow students, and yes, the ugly-cry moments as the clock ticked down to my departure. I put every bit of emotion into that video, capturing the rollercoaster of feelings from leaving Vietnam to arriving in the UK for the first time.

When I was putting the video together, homesickness hit hard. Every clip felt like a piece of Vietnam, and I missed it all.

But I gave it my all, documenting not just the physical journey but also the emotional whirlwind I was going through.

Winning the competition

Submitting the video was nerve-wracking. I felt confident, sure, but winning the first prize? That seemed like a far-fetched dream. But guess what? When the international office dropped the bomb – I won – I was over the moon! I wasted no time bragging to my parents about this early win, and let me tell you, the pride on their faces was priceless.

I have rewatched that winning video so many times I do not even bother keeping a record. It has become my go-to pick-me-up. Pressing play takes me back to that moment of victory, a reminder of the effort I poured into creating something that mirrors the true essence of my journey. It's not just about the voucher; it's a funky little trophy for stepping into the unknown and owning it.

Thuy Nguyen standing next to a lake

Helping homesickness

As I navigate my studies in the UK, that video is my secret weapon against homesickness. It's a capsule of my courage, and winning the Pre-departure competition.

Well, that's the cherry on top; it's a slice of my story that I'm so proud of!

Disclaimer

The views expressed here are those of the individual and do not necessarily represent the views of Anglia Ruskin University. If you've got any concerns please contact us.