A great thank to anyone coming along for International Community Day on Monday 22nd Oct at Civic Centre. I would try my best to encourage HaSS faculty at Newcastle University to organise another similar event for next semester so Jan starting students as well as people missing that event still have a chance to explore all the opportunities available in Newcastle.

Highlight of the day:

– Warm welcome by the Mayor, short but very touching. She is adorable with somehow a ‘royal’ charm 🙂

– International Welcome Talk remarking a new birth of an organisation called International Newcastle (IN) by Simon an Sarah, with support from a board of directors well known in the region. Simon gave a talk full of laugh welcoming all international students to Newcastle, expressed an interest in building a strong international community here. I really felt Newcastle as second home for me. Gonna be hard to say goodbye in a couple of months. But reality is reality. I am therefore enjoying every moment to the max. Definitely dont want to live with regret 🙂

– Career talk, straight into competitive job market and how international students can stand out from the crowd! Thanks Career Service, Newcastle University. They undeniably always  come and leave with impression on participants.

– Presence of some new local charities/enterprise like Action Newcastle, Spice FM, Team Kenya….so much more, check out the website for a list of organisations present on the day. And remember, all you need to passion to try and experience. For any organisation and project you are interested in, just contact them and you wont never be replied with a No! (well pretty much 99% sure).

I think I am gradually becoming a regular visitor of the new INTO building. The fact that I can just take a break from my lectures in Herschel Building and get a coffee next door is making my 9 am lectures a lot more bearable.

Recall the other day walking with my friend who was studying in INTO two years ago complaining about their learning environment when we got past the new building. Obviously, he is just being jealous.

I really hope that the location and the new facilities would encourage more INTO students to get involved in many student activities on campus. Be honest, I would be more than satisfied if my lessons are just 2 minutes away from the Men’s Bar, not to mention Hancock pub is just across the road. Think I would really need to contact the SCAN office and register myself as a volunteer again this year. Can’t wait to start building contactsa and meeting new people.

Juntao 23-10-2012

I am Juntao, a current student of MSc Banking and Finance in Newcastle University Business School. I got involved in the INTO Newcastle Buddy program since its very beginning in 2010. A lot of things have changed so far and it is really great thing to see so many new faces in the scheme.

I am now setting up this blog to share stories of students from different backgrounds. Studying abroad is an unique experience for any individuals. There are a lot of challenges as well as fun. We work hard, we play hard. While representing something, we are also exploring some other things.

Contact us, share something.