Alisha, Lynn and Yen Wern share about their experiences when studying overseas. Whether you’re a BASIC-er currently studying overseas, hoping to study overseas, wondering what it would be like, or simply interested in the struggles and experiences of your fellow BASIC-ers, read on! This is the fifth post in our series ‘Community and Fellowship’.
- Share one challenge you faced when moving overseas
Ali: Settling in a new church and forming a new Christian community.
It was tiring and difficult in the first year, and for a good amount of time, I struggled with feeling like I didn’t belong and couldn’t quite fit in. Church was a bit different, everyone was new, and I missed the familiarity and fellowship of my friends from ARPC.
Lynn: Home sickness (being far far far away from home). Being away from family and friends was a huge struggle. Home cooked meals/local cuisine have also never been so dearly missed till I was away. The first few weeks were extremely tough although my family and I had multiple calls 🙁 Video-calling friends and family always paled in comparison to seeing them face to face.
Yen Wern: Adulting…haha learning to be more independent, making important decisions on my own, managing daily living (e.g. buying groceries, preparing all 3 meals, house chores etc) and balancing studies. Being the youngest in the family, I was quite used to having decisions being made for me and I took for granted how much my parents provided for me in terms of daily living in Singapore. So adulting was challenging for me especially being in a foreign country, having to make new friends and adjusting to university life at the same time.
- Share one of your greatest joys of studying overseas
Ali: Living with Christian SISTERSSS hehe.
In the 4 years I studied in Brisbane, I had the privilege of living with 3 Christian friends I’d already known for a while in Singapore. It was a great privilege getting to do life together. We learnt to cook, clean, launder and meal plan. But besides learning to do all these things, the greatest joy was getting to grow together in the Lord – being able to share our walks with each other – encouraging, praying, rebuking and spurring each other on to Christlikeness. If you’re going to study overseas, I would definitely recommend finding Christian friends to live together with – living with a fellow sinner in pursuit of Christ is sanctifying!
Lynn: Appreciating the beauty of God’s creation with others.
There is bound to be a lot of travelling while studying overseas. One of the greatest joys is sharing those moments with beloved friends. Those trips gave us opportunities to be away from the busyness of life and enjoy God’s creation together. During these travels, we shared deeply, prayed and enjoyed unforgettable moments of fellowship. As we explored the different parts of Queensland, we were able to pause, be quiet and be thankful for our God is the maker of all these things:) It is impossible to think that creation happened by chance. Only a great, almighty Maker could be behind the beauty of nature:)
Yen Wern: Going on day trips and camping trips with friends.
I didn’t think I was a particularly outdoor person before I went to Australia because I didn’t do a lot of nature-things in Singapore. But when I came to Australia, I really enjoyed going on day trips or camping trips with my friends! Thankful for friends who drove and jio-ed(; It was amazing to see God’s creation from the mountain top, waddling in the sea by the beach, and gazing at the milky way while lying down beside a campfire. But of course it was the company that made all the difference too! I miss all the times spent with friends playing board games, eating ice cream for supper, having hot pot and just enjoying life together(:
- Share one tip for fellow BASICers going overseas
Ali: Really get to know Jesus for yourself 🙂
Moving overseas feels like starting a whole new life – no family, no church friends, more freedom, and it is a great time to be asking questions such as “Who is Jesus to me?”, and relatedly, “what should really matter in my life”?
Also, spend time getting to know God and reading the bible – because there is drastically less time post-student life ),-:
“it is a great time to be asking questions such as ‘Who is Jesus to me?’, and relatedly, ‘what should really matter in my life’?” – Alisha
Lynn: Take the initiative to deepen your relationship with others:) It is always comfortable and easier to remain as the new student and wait for others to take the initiative to get to know you. Don’t be comfortable! Why not take the first step to ask someone out for a meal or invite a group of friends over? During your time in an overseas environment, there will be many pockets of free time as a student! Spend it with God, spend it with others and grow together with your new found family:)
Yen Wern: Treasure the freedom of time and space you have and use it to do meaningful things–(not just studying!) – getting involved in church/ campus ministry, spending time with friends (going out/ inviting them over/ going on day trips together), learning new skills (e.g. culinary skills!) and cultivating good habits (like sleeping early, doing daily devotions, doing chores regularly–very important! Because no one is there to discipline you, you need to regulate yourself). University is the best time to do all these things because there is really so much more freedom in your schedule (as compared to sec school/jc/poly), and in your commitments as well since you are away from family and friends in Singapore. So make the most use of your time studying overseas to enjoy the last few years of freedom as a student, and also preparing for adult life–not just in terms of independent living, but also in growing your convictions in the gospel because God’s word is the ultimate guide for a fulfilling life!
Have fun!!!:D I pray that God will protect you and grow you in emotional and spiritual maturity(:
Interviewees: Alisha, Lynn and Yen Wern
Alisha: Ali is a Basic Leader and is working as a Physiotherapist in Singapore. She likes climbing, reading and meeting people for coffee hehe.
Lynn: Lynn is currently a Basic Leader studying at the University of Queensland (Music & Econs). She loves dogs, cheese and meat:)
Yen Wern: Yen Wern is currently reading Speech Therapy at the University of Queensland. She loves fruits and veggies, and cannot live without them. She also likes drinking coffee but prefers sleep over coffee whenever possible!
Photo Credit: Jonathan Teo (@jonno.teo)