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04 voice · FALL 2022
A HELLO
AND A
GOODBYE
BY FATIMA MOHAMMAD ABDULLAH (1066446)
hat is it about our first memo- a small fish in a big pond. Here I was, a girl
ries that make those moments coming from a small school in which I knew
W so special? Like the first day of everybody and entering a university that
kindergarten, or the first present we ever had endless unfamiliar faces.
received, or the first friend we ever made?
Maybe it’s the particular emotion that gets Truth be told, the transition from a school
attached to the first memory, a combination to a university is always daunting. What if
that never leaves us. So it is with my memory I embarrass myself in front of these new
of coming to university for the very first people? What if I am unable to find my
time. classroom?
The 8th of January 2018, the day I walked That sense of unfamiliarity and nervousness
into Abu Dhabi University for my first day of filled my first few weeks. But here is the thing
classes. It was a chilly morning but the fire in about places: once you become familiar with
me to get started compensated for the cold. them, they become your home. And so hap-
The first time I entered through the gates of pened with this university. It became a place
the University, I was experiencing so many that I knew like the back of my hand. The
emotions at the same time. The nerves and people here became my family. The offices
the excitement combined is definitely not section that felt like a jumbled maze those
a pleasant cocktail, if you ask me. Walking first scary days? I quickly felt that I could
into that shiny building had me feeling like find my way around blindfolded.
