By Lu Jiang, Junior Reporter
The day I left Winnipeg, I drove away in my little, beat-up car. It was quite small, but still big enough to hold all my belongings and carry my life from one city to another. Moving didn’t seem that hard after all. Well, I almost broke down several times, but let’s keep that between us.
During the two-and-a-half-hour drive to Brandon, my mind was empty.
When I first received the admission letter from Brandon University, I was so excited. I kept imagining what the new semester would be like.
But then, on the road, I realized I didn’t know a single person in this new city. And strangely, maybe because I was lost, the feeling of fear and anxiety was not as strong.
Still, I worried about my little car breaking down or getting a flat tire. I imagined a hundred kinds of possibilities that could go wrong. With the windows open, plastic bags in the backseat rustled loudly in the wind, as if cheering for me.
When I finally saw a Shell gas station and turned left into it, I felt relief for the first time. I knew I was arriving.
Brandon’s summer was bright and refreshing, filled with wide stretches of green. The air carried a touch of moisture, and a light mist rose from the ground, gently soothing my weary heart. When I drove down the steep hill near Walmart, I looked in the rearview mirror and felt as if the whole world was tilting toward me. The beauty of Brandon touched my hollow heart.
That day, I was so tired when I arrived at my new place. I only had enough energy to carry in my luggage, grab a blanket, and fall asleep immediately. I slept so deeply that I lost track of time.
The morning in Brandon was unbelievably quiet—so quiet I couldn’t even hear footsteps outside. When I opened the door of my room, my landlord’s cat was sitting there. Two pairs of equally confused eyes met. She broke the silence first, meowing softly, and walked away. What a nice beginning!
I had never checked my student email so often before. I was afraid of missing any message, thinking it might be the only way for me to connect with others or get information about my classes. At the same time, I told myself, You’re an adult now. Don’t panic.
The orientation day was cold and windy, so different from the hot days before.
Like a clueless little calf, I wandered around everywhere. I even walked into the Rural Development Institute and started asking random questions. Even Dr. Kelly came out to greet me and talk with me — I was flattered and a little overwhelmed. I just stood there, dumbfounded, and said, “Oh, Doctor, I’ve seen your photo on the website.”
My English is still far behind that of the students whose first language is English, but I still love to talk and express myself. That day, I collected some stickers, pens, and notebooks.
Then I saw people carrying Brandon University tote bags—I wanted one so badly. When I asked where to get it, they said it was over. I looked up at the sky, feeling sad. That was my sense of belonging! Then a kind girl I had just asked for directions offered me her bag. I almost cried. That was the first day I met my good friend Heather.
It was freezing, but everyone I met that day made my heart feel warm.
This is such a lovely university.
When someone loses their phone — there’s an email.
When the power or water goes out — there’s an email.
When there are some job opportunities or campus events — there’s an email.
It feels like I’ll never miss anything important. Even when I wrote to The Quill about submissions, the editor replied so quickly.
Brandon University has small class sizes, with just a dozen or so students in each course. Still, I felt honoured that the professor knew my name.
When I realized I was the only non-native English speaker in the room, I got nervous again. But my professor and classmates were kind and patient. They slowed down their speech, tried different ways to explain things, and even shared their contacts with me so I could ask questions anytime. They called me by my name with warmth, invited me to events, and sometimes even gave me rides.
I once thought I was a lonely person. But now I know I have never really been alone.
A month here feels both long and short. Long enough that I’ve experienced so many things, as if a whole year had passed. But also short enough that, when I blink, I realize I’ve already gained so much beauty in my life.
I once thought I came here to fight through challenges and start a new chapter of my life. But now I know I came here to feel the peace and quiet kindness of Brandon.
I think I truly love it here.
I love this lovely city, this lovely university, and all the lovely people I’ve met.
Thank you all so much!