University of Manchester starting September 2013

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Dear WP Community,

I have grown up and live in Switzerland, but will be starting University in Manchester as a foreign student this autumn. This will be a huge move for me and I am already incredibly nervous. Here I have to say that I already started studying English, History and Film at the University of Zurich and that my stay in Manchester will be a one year only affair made possible by an ERASMUS scholarship. In Zurich I was still living at home when attending university, so I see that my first experience with university life is nothing in comparison to what will await me in England, especially considering that Swiss universities function rather differently from British ones, as they don't have halls of residence or any kind of campus life to speak of with people often still living at home or in shared residence, flats spread all over the part of the country (called 'cantons' where I come from) a given university's situated in. Therefore, actual university life away from family and the one close (boy-)friend-person I have, is completely new to me.

Is there anybody else on here who is/has been studying in Manchester?

Currently I am looking into accomodations/university halls and wondered whether anybody felt like sharing his or her experience about starting university as someone with asperger's/HFA.

Anything I should pay special attention to?

I have already notified the university of my special needs in regard to Asperger's and other medical conditions. However, I'm still rather anxious about whether or not I'll be able to cope. I am really looking forward to being able to study in an environment where I'll be surrounded by people speaking the language I feel most comfortable with (I've grown up in the German speaking part of Switzerland, but have found it easier to express my thoughts in English soon after I'd started to learn that language). Still, I am really quite scared, because I get very easily overwhelmed by new situations, lots of people, noise, etc. and I find it very hard to concentrate (study) when there are other things I don't feel comfortable with. Thus, I'd be really grateful if someone felt like sharing some of their experiences with transition to university on here.

I hope this post isn't too long or unclear. If there is anything else, you'd need to know, please ask resp. tell me about any mistakes I might have made.

Thank you in advance for your help.

Bests,

DonnieDarko.

You'll be fine. Manchester is a great city. Relocating to a different country is always going to be tough for a person with AS. It will probably take some months to adapt to the Northern accents and mannerisms, but keep a positive attitude and good luck.

That's actually quite reassuring. Thanks.

I really hope that the getting used to won't take too long, because in high school it took me roughly two years just to get used to the new surroundings, etc.

Oceandrop is right, Manchester is a great city. I'm from Sheffield myself so I'm just up the road. As mentioned, it may be a little difficult for you to get used to the accents up here, but it's same for anyone that moves over here. My stepdad is from the south of England and he still sometimes struggles with us - we're used to it. If you need any northern translations then don't hesitate to ask me. Maybe before you come over you can watch some movies that are made in the north so it is a little easier for you? Watch Dead Man's Shoes, listen to Oasis, etc.

Other than the accents, I can't even imagine how brave you are to do what you're doing. The thought of moving to a different country terrifies me and I think your bravery is admirable. Good luck with the move and with school. Like O said, I only live up the road so I'm familiar with the language and culture which could help you fit in more, so if you want to know anything then just ask.

First of all, thanks a lot for your kind words. I actually know a couple of Bands from around that region and might give them a more frequent listen whenever I feel like straying from the usual happy metal noise that makes life bearable and wonderful. The movie also looks like it could be worth watching. So, thanks for your suggestions, such things are always appreciated as music and film are among the most important interests I have.

I guess I just fear that I'll be there and find myself completely unable to communicate, because I cannot understand what people are saying and they'll think I'm completely daft for having to ask over and over again, especially, because I'm also hard of hearing, so I have trouble with understanding speech, anyway, especially if it isn't clearly directed at me or people mumble, speek too quickly in low voices. However, it's not as though I was anything near deafness, so it's probably also in parts due to asperger related problems, because sometimes I find myself very capable of hearing rather low sounds and sometimes I don't even hear my mother shouting from the other room. I guess, I'll simply have to try my best at being attentive and paying the closest possible attention to people talking to (or around) me.

Yeah, I thought I was mad too when I applied for the scholarship and thought I was utterly crazy when I got and accepted it. I'm not someone who travels. I'm simply not, because when I do I'm usually stuck in my own little world and apparently appear rather strange to outsiders who usually think that I'm on drugs or mentally ret*d. I don't, however, think that I'm brave. I'm actually pretty freaked out whenever I think about it. On the other hand I'm also really excited, though, especially, because I think it might do me good to start over at a school where people don't already know me and where I can really just begin over and anew. Also, being surrounded by English speakers (again) is something I'm looking forward too so much, because I'm sometimes getting rather tired of having to express myself in German (and/or Swiss German) and constantly having to struggle for words and ways of expressing things, concepts and ideas I'm only familiar with in English.

In case I'll have any specific questions, I will definitely get back to you. I'll be going there mid-September, so there's still a bit of time left. Right now, I'm still waiting for a reply from the university's accomodation office, hoping that I will actually get into my first choice halls. We'll see, though, I try to not set my mind too much on one thing, because I don't want to make my move even harder than it will already be.

So, thanks again for your answer!

donalddarko,
am from manchester though moved outside it some years ago so know a lot about the place if woud like help.
manchester has a major aspie/high functioning autism organisation and support and/or social service based there as growing up; used to rent mega drive games from the ancient video shop that was [and still is] right near the HQ.
its called the aspirations project,acording to website has a minimum age criteria but no maximum age-
http://asgma.org.uk/node/50

one thing may be very interested in if a geek or gamer,the kyoto lounge which is open all day till night, its a proper bar but has every console from the SNES onwards available to hook up to their HD tvs and play and they charge per hour.
they have also got a PC lounge for doing real gaming.
they have also got another lounge with a huge three dimensional tv for doing back to back showings of geeky films.
the residential centre am living in is trying to get a private day arranged so we can access it but hope to get more autistics than just us going along,the bar is just off oxford road aparently,which is around all the unis.
http://kyotolounge.com/


if need any help with machester stuff,please feel free to pm.
if are diagnosed on the spectrum,shoud be able to get a free travel/bus pass which woud help with travel but am not sure if there is a rule on having to live here for so long.

Hey KindomOfRats,

Thanks for your elaborate answer. Sounds amazing. I really like gaming (mostly PC, but if I can get hold of a console, I hardly ever say no).

There is also an office at the University of Manchester where you can apply if you have special needs and they will help you with problems that might arise during your studies.

I am really grateful for your answer, because it shows me that I won't be completely lost in Manchester and that there are others like me (I'm diagnosed with Asperger's/HFA, as well as some other stuff).

I guess what scares me most is getting to a completely new place, especially after having pretty bad memories in regard to my previous school career where I experienced a lot of people to be pretty damn horrible; at times really nice on the surface, but if things got serious (in whichever way), most people put themselves and their own (however petty) interests first. However, maybe meeting some people who have been struggling with similar things as I do, might help. Mainly, because I find it really hard to get through life all by myself, as I often need help whenever my health deteriorates, because I have a very hard time talking to medical personel or just generally getting help, if I need it.

I really hope that your residential centre will get that private day, because I'm sure it would be pretty awesome for you guys to get out there and make use of all the great games and equipment they have there.

Should I have anymore questions, I will definitely get back to you. Thanks a lot for your help.

Manchester is a great city. Great cultural heritage, and a music scene not bettered by many other cities around the globe. Good Luck.

Thanks. This sounds really good, especially about the music, as I very much a music person.

Also, studying should be okay as well, as I will get some extra support from the University should i need any. I just hope the the studen accomodation (George Kenyon Hall of Residence) will be okay and that I won't be too frightened by all the newness. However, be that as it may, I will try to make the best out of my stay, finish my Bachelor's degree and just finally get my s**t together, as this will hopefully be some kind of new start for me and I will try to not make all of the mistakes I made when I went to school in Switzerland.

By the way, it's really great how much support and feedback one can get on this site! Thanks to all of you for your time and effort.