Visiting My Alma Mater After 20 Years

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Halloo, 

A couple of weeks back I had a family occasion in Doncaster, UK. I used the opportunity to take a little trip to Sheffield to see my Alma mater – Sheffield Hallam University, 20 years after graduation.

I was so excited to see this university and the town of Sheffield. I had some amazing times and some heartbreaking experiences there in those days. It was a journey I looked forward to. 

Since I finished I have not been back. I came to Doncaster some years back but was unable to visit Sheffield. I had been promising myself that I would make the trip but the time was never right. 

I went with my old university hoodie planning to take pictures and see if I can still fit in as a student. The amazing thing is that the hoodie still fits me, maybe not perfectly but I was able to put it on and take it off without tears. Not a lot of people can do that! Especially after 20 years. 

A lot of changes were apparent in the town and the university as well. I could see so many improvements and an increase in the number of African students and the social life is more vibrant than it was in those days. 

I can’t comment on the quality of academic life as I have access to that. But I am impressed as how many things still look familiar and yet with changes. 

Another thing that struck a chord in me was the fact that when I was a student at Sheffield Hallam University 20 years ago, I was 30 years old and was considered a mature student. I looked back to how self-conscious I was then attending classes with fresh-faced teenage students with my Nigerian accent and also a mother to a 2-year-old. It wasn’t easy at all. 

I imagined myself doing it now and I know that I will definitely enjoy it more because my self-confidence is healthy. I do not have any young children to take care of. I still have my Nigerian accent but I have learned to code-switch by speaking more slowly and clearly when speaking with non- Nigerians. I would definitely, love to be in a class with teenagers and show them how it is done the ancient way, where we learn by reading proper books and don’t have the luxury of Google and the distraction of social media. 

It was a nostalgic experience and I absolutely enjoyed it. I wish I had more time to have gone to all the places I lived and worked to see the changes and relive some memories. 

I definitely will be going back, not as a student but to visit again. Maybe take my children with me and use that opportunity to tell them some funny, weird, or amazing things that happened to me at Sheffield Hallam University in 2004. 

Thanks a lot for reading. Please, your contributions to this post will be appreciated in the comment section below. Help by clicking like and share with your friends. Also, don’t forget to join other subscribers to receive notifications of new posts by email. I appreciate it.

Stay with me,

Ruka

About Post Author

Ruka

My name is Ruka. Born and bred in Nigeria. Now living in Ireland. I am a Woman, Feminist, Wife, Mother, Muslim, Black, and African. I am an Entrepreneur who also works in Finance Administration. I am a Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Warrior. I love writing and hope to make a name for myself doing it.

rukaganiyu5@gmail.com

https://www.rukasplace.com

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