Hot chocolate, candy canes and quizzes. It can only mean one thing: our international student doctors’ festive party! Before the winter break begins, international students gathered in full force to enjoy seasonal festivities and celebrate the end of the autumn-winter term.
Studying away from home can sometimes mean being on a different time zone to your family, adapting to a new culture and navigating a new city. Yet it can also bring so much more – the discovery of new traditions, making lifelong friends and finding belonging in a home away from home.
The festive party was a chance for international students to come together with peers who also joined the School of Medicine from further afield.
The first stop? The hot chocolate station, which proved to be a big hit!
Next, the competition was fierce as teams took on the medical-themed emoji quiz and tested their knowledge of the city with the Liverpool trivia quiz, followed by a look at the intriguing cracker prizes!
Aaditya, originally from India, reminisced on his excitement when landing in Liverpool to begin his medical journey.
“The highlight of Liverpool so far is the charm and character of the city and the people. There’s an easy pace to the city which is comforting and allows me to be in my own space. The University also goes out of its way to make international students feel welcome and be part of the Liverpool community.”
As part of the LMSS and the Liverpool Association of Indian Students, Aaditya says societies are a great way to make friends and find people you have a commonality with.
Shavaree and Noor, both year 3 student doctors, have also joined from India and recommend future international students attend the Guild’s welcome party as a way to make new friendships and feel more settled.
Siona joined the University from Singapore and is currently in her final year of medical school. When beginning her studies, she joined the Singapore Society and found a home away from home – a great way to still experience Singaporean food and satisfy food cravings!
International Student Doctor Siona - enjoying her hot chocolate!
To help settle into Liverpool life, Siona recommends immersing yourself in a variety of things, such as joining societies, attending events and making friends with non-international students too.
“The highlight for me so far has been the F1 PracTiSCE week. It’s all simulation based for one week and the teaching is amazing. I also loved the LMSS mid-course ball in year 3 to celebrate being halfway through the course.”
“In the future, I’d like to work in public health, perhaps Medicins Sans Frontieres or the UN. I’m really interested in women’s health, particularly as there’s so much more to learn in that area to support women.”
Thank you to the international students for attending and sharing a hot chocolate-filled evening!