From Uncertainty to Belongingness
The first day I entered ECUSTA, I carried more uncertainty than confidence. As a transfer student, I constantly questioned whether I had made the right decision. Missing the first two weeks of classes only added to my anxiety and made me feel even more out of place. Stepping onto the campus, I feared that I would never truly become part of the community.
Navigating the Unknown
I was so unfamiliar with the environment that I even got lost while trying to find my lecture hall. After the morning class ended, students began making their way toward the cafeteria. Although I had previously been given a tour of the campus, everything still felt overwhelming. The compound seemed enormous, filled with buildings that looked almost identical at first glance.
However, one detail slowly helped me navigate my surroundings: the colorful ceilings of the buildings. The cafeteria, for example, had a bright red ceiling that made it easy to recognize from a distance. Small details like this gradually made the unfamiliar environment feel a little less intimidating.
The Power of Community Support
During my first few days, I mostly stayed to myself because I was afraid of feeling out of place. Everyone around me already seemed comfortable with one another, while I was still trying to adjust to a completely new environment. However, as time went on, my interactions with classmates gradually changed my perspective.
Some students noticed that I was new and helped me understand things I had missed during the first two weeks. I also connected with other transfer students like myself, and together we began adjusting to the school community and academic system. Even before I fully started engaging with my classmates, the kindness and support of the staff made me feel welcomed. From the registrar’s office to the finance office and my instructors, everyone I met was willing to help. I explained my situation, and they responded with understanding and patience. Some even checked on my progress to see how I was adapting to the environment and the teaching system. Their support made me feel that I was not alone in this transition.
"Looking back, I realize that transferring to ECUSTA was more than just changing schools. It taught me how to adapt, trust myself, and grow through unfamiliar situations."
From Isolation to Integration
As the weeks passed, the environment that once felt unfamiliar slowly started to feel like a place I belonged. I became more comfortable speaking in class, asking questions, and interacting with my classmates and instructors. The same campus that once overwhelmed me gradually became familiar and welcoming.
When I first moved to ECUSTA, it was hard; I was full of worry about missing out on classes and navigating an unfamiliar campus. Yet, as I wandered the pathways of the unknown, the journey slowly turned into a lesson about resilience and community. Small anchors, such as the varied architecture across the campus and the proactive good nature of both staff and fellow students, helped me transition from a state of isolation to full integration.
In the end, the experience was a success because it was about much more than just finding a lecture hall. It was about learning to trust myself to adapt to a new environment, and trusting that the support of others would help me along the way.
Submitted by: lasefawe026@ecusta-hli.edu.et | Collaborators: Liyu Asfaw, Danayit Tekie and Yam Gizachew via ECUSTA CMS