So, three grueling years at SOAS University of London have come to an end. It’s bittersweet at times, but nostalgia is already setting in as I recall my time at this university, an institution wedged between the legacies of well-known prestigious names. As I write this, I’m feeling both ecstatic and exhausted. I’m ecstatic because I graduated with a good degree classification. But I’m exhausted from three years of studying and dealing with mental health issues.

Perhaps the title appears to be extravagant, but after submitting my final exam, I couldn’t help but feel emotional that three years of my undergraduate degree were finally over. I suppose this post is a recollection of all the ups and downs of university life, and how coming to SOAS both changed me and made me realize how terrible the world truly is.

Coming To The School of Oriental and African Studies

How I discovered and came to SOAS in the first place is a story I’ve told a few people. In 2017, there was a UCAS exhibition in Bath, Somerset and our college took a trip to go visit as an aid to our impending applications. At the time, I had no idea what degree I wanted to pursue, let alone which university I wanted to attend. As a young adolescent, I had strong desires to live and study in New York City. But, clearly, my younger self didn’t realize how lofty and unrealistic those goals were for someone who barely made it through high school. l chose journalism because I wanted to write.

I told the university representatives that I wanted to study journalism as soon as we arrived and there were plenty of stalls to look around in an enormous hall. I noticed a SOAS stall and was immediately drawn in by the board with the yellow and red colours and a Maya Angelou art work. Unfortunately, I did not have time to speak with the reps, but I did obtain a prospectus, which I still have today.

On the coach ride back to our sixth form, I read through the SOAS University of London prospectus and was astonished. Genuinely astonished. The refreshing variety of courses, the university being located in the heart of London and the appreciation of diversity and non-Western languages and cultures was something I had never seen before in any other institution. Flicking through the pages detailing each department and course, I found History of Art. Despite initially settling on journalism, my interest in this field was piqued and I eventually settled on this degree. I also found it would still be useful if I wanted to become a journalist, instead of going down the conventional route of completing a journalism degree.

In October 2017, after I had applied for most universities (including Leeds, UCL, York and Manchester), my Dad and I travelled to London for SOAS’ Open Day. It was a new experience having to manoeuvre through Central London roads and having to pay a high amount for parking. But alas, we turned up to the campus and had a tour as well as go to the welcome talk in the Brunei Gallery. I also met one of my lecturers for the first time. I left for home that day feeling a surge in excitement to become a part of this community because that’s the vibe I experienced visiting the school in person.

By summer of 2018, I was anxiously awaiting results and booked a room at Dinwiddy House in Central London, one of the student accommodations available for SOAS students. In hindsight, having to book a place to stay before I received my results sounds rather stupid. Nonetheless, I ended up seeing my results while on a ferry to the Isles of Scilly with the UCAS page informing that I had my place at SOAS and Leeds confirmed! Of course, I decided to settle on SOAS as I literally worked towards attending this university. My actual grades were sent to me by one of my best friends who collected them on my behalf. Thus, I began a new journey and the anticipation was off the charts.

Three Years at SOAS

SOAS as an institution proved to be one-of-a-kind in that they value changing the world with implementation of discourses surrounding various socio-political issues and having the courage to challenge the school itself in their wrongdoings. It’s admirable and comes from a place of concern with no room for passivity. There were strikes, sit-outs, campaigns, petitions, protests and any other active measures to call for these changes. Prior to attending SOAS, I was admittedly an unfortunate apathetic individual who tried to learn more but was both misinformed and eventually thought of politics as a bore.

Although my degree did not constitute political discussions besides religious discourse for the Islamic art modules, I’ve come to hear more perspectives and gained knowledge in a multitude of areas. The beauty of this is that the ways in which the world works and the shifting ideas are now understood. This wouldn’t have been possible if I had continued to remain in the stronghold familiar people have imposed on me throughout the years. Freedom at university made way for my mind to enter an intellectual map and the discoveries have been necessary. To listen is a crucial action which has become a part of my daily cognitive adventures. Being at SOAS has also taught me to fight and take activism seriously and although I’m still growing in this sector, I’m very glad that I’m changing to be better as a human being.

Regarding the social life at SOAS, I was blessed to have met a number of amazing people who’ve become such lights in my life. The day I moved into Dinwiddy House, I met some lovely girls who I spoke to in person for the first time and during freshers’ week I had the opportunity to meet fellow course mates and we all spent time together attending events. My wonderful flatmates across first and second years were a joy to live with and I’m glad we became a little family for the short time we had and I love that we’re still in contact and friends <3. Despite COVID-19 ending our residency together in second year, I’ll always cherish the homely vibes we all shared. My course mates have also been an absolute pleasure to study with. The chill vibes during lectures and tutorials to the hectic last-minute revision sessions during exam season at uni or on Skype. It was an honour to graduate beside some of you and I’m wishing those of you who are spending much needed extra time to finish work all the best!

The numerous societies were daunting but during freshers’ week in first year, I signed up to many believing this day to be the start of my life coming together. Alas, I did not attend a single society meeting in first year for reasons I’m not sure but most likely due to mental health. Second year saw me signing up to more societies but in the end, I attended one meeting for debate society. This year in particular saw a lot of my mental health issues become worse to the point where my days were spent inside my room in Dinwiddy and I barely attended lectures and even go outside to just chill and explore London. Plenty of times have I wished I could travel back in time and redo those months. Regardless, the times I did spend with friends and enjoy London, I’ll always look back on fondly. Third year being online did not hinder my social experience with people at SOAS. I’ve had the absolute privilege of knowing a group of people who I’ve spent many nights playing games, talking with on Zoom and chatting away on Whatsapp. Other societies have been fantastic in hosting online events and they’ve been so much fun! Thank you all for making my last year amazing despite the circumstances.

History of Art has been a very fascinating and enriching degree. As someone who wasn’t familiar with this academic discipline prior to starting university, I was relieved of course that many others weren’t either and we took on three years learning new ideas, approaches, theories and various regional arts and architecture. I’ve had the enjoyment of analysing the arts of East Asia, Islamic art and architecture and cultural theory. I’m still keen on studying further in my personal time and now as I embark on building my career in journalism, I feel more culturally and artistically aware to write about this field.

Post Graduation Thoughts

On the day of our department’s end of year celebrations, I was feeling rather overwhelmed with emotions. As I saw course mates, lecturers and other department staff and looking at the campus buildings, it felt surreal that three years had passed by. I’ll always be grateful that I had the opportunity to come along to the heart of London and study at SOAS. I’ll always be grateful to have been amongst such a beautiful community that has inspired and shaped me going into the big, wide world in the present time. If there ever arises another opportunity to come to SOAS, if not for a masters degree, I would take that in a heartbeat.

Thank you SOAS, may you continue to inspire and also continue to change as a result of the generation of warriors who are fighting for a better world.

Peace ❤