Malik Abedikoupaei

I'm Malik, 27 years old, and I've been living in Belgium for about a year and half now.

Before migrating, I used to live in Iran, the country where I was born.

The decision to migrate was very difficult because I knew I had to pack everything into one suitcase and leave everything else behind. Unfortunately, neither my family nor the person I love, or my friends could fit into that suitcase, so I just could bring my memory, and I came.

When I disembarked from the plane, I knew I had to start from scratch, but when I saw at the airport that humans could walk with free spirits and love each other freely, I was sure I made the right decision,  freedom worth to start from zero.

Studying in a foreign country with a language other than your native language can indeed be challenging, which is why my first semester was tougher than the others. However, there are things I've learned that I'd like to share with you:

1. Grades aren't the only important thing; learning is. You might have received higher grades in your previous academic level and not be satisfied with your grades here, but remember, you can only compare two things when all other factors are constant. So, refrain from comparisons. Focus on what you're learning, not just the grades.

2. You might face difficulties in finding teammates for group work. It's not a personal issue; most native students have been friends for years, so fitting in among them might seem challenging. However, what I've realized is that our native classmates are very kind, and if you ask for help, they'll assist you. Remember, you can always seek help from the professor of the course for group and other academic issues.

3. Don't overlook making friends. We humans are social beings; we need connections. So, don't neglect finding friends and companions to talk to.

These experiences, although simple, have been incredibly helpful in helping me adapt better to the Belgian environment. I believe that with time, everything will improve. International friends, trust me better days will come. Just try to be a better version of yourself every day, and that's enough.