MyStory Monday: Home Away From Home

Home Away From Home:
What Past MyStory Bloggers Had to Say

Since tonight’s program is about how UAlbany became a home away from home, we thought that it might be nice to feature past MyStory posts about adjusting to college.

First up is Class of 2018’s Kate E. who wrote about everything from her enduring love for peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (a metaphor for remaining authentic) to a MyStory favorite, “Navigating RoomHATE.” Check out her entire series” “Metamorphosis.”

People from all over the world click on Class of 2019’s Simonti B.’s “4 Stages of Homesickness” every day. Apparently this term is frequently searched on the internet.  Check out her whole series, “Writing My Own Chapter.” Here is a sample from the beginning of her blog post on homesickness:

Home Sickness Phase 1: The Calm Before the Storm

Phase One is the part where you are excited about exploring a new place. It is the part where life is numb because you are in a new area and everything is an adventure. It is where you try new hobbies and foods and all the worries about what is  lying ahead and what happened prior in life does not matter because everything is in the now.

I moved to Albany from Queens the day after I graduated high school. At first it was very unsettling, mostly because I was not able to have the summer with my friends; so I spent all summer doing things I have never done before like apple picking, fishing, and learning how to swim. I was able to keep myself occupied and distracted. For me, Phase One lasted all summer up until October.

Home Sickness Phase 2: The Crumble Click Here to Read More

Of course we cannot forget, Jade H., MyStory volunteer and Spring 2018 exchange student from Beijing Normal University. Jade shared her experiences with adjusting to academic and social life at UAlbany in her blog series: Wherever You Are, Be the Best You. Her series is not only useful for those acclimating to UAlbany and campus life in the USA, but it is a great read for those getting ready to study abroad. Adjusting to a new academic and social culture is not easy, but if you are willing to engage in this transforming process, and build connections with those around you, we think that your efforts will not be in vain. 

All glory comes from daring to begin. – Eugene Ware

We encourage you to step outside of your comfort zone to meet new people. One easy way to to this is by coming to the Dinner and Discussion series. The next one is tonight, at 6:30pm,  in the Science Library, 3rd Floor Room 340.  If you are new to UAlbany, we hope to see you there!