MSU. What is
Mindanao State University? Someone said “it’s a standard university”, others
said that "it’s s famous university”, while somebody told me “the students and
teaches there a brilliant”. Those words are not just the reason for me why I came
here in MSU, other than that, it is because of the low tuition fee. Imagine, with just a maximum of one
thousand pesos for an average student, he or she can now enroll in this
university. But the thing is that there are many roadblocks that I need to
overcome in achieving my goals here. Before I got here, my parents often told
me that I should not get along nor befriends with Muslims. I used to hear words
that they’re traitors, messy, boastful, and the likes.
Back then, I often
imagine what MSU would look like, I have this things in my mind that there’s a
very huge gate and beautiful buildings, and the students are wearing uniforms. That’s
why when I got here, I keep on looking and asking to some, Where’s the gate? Where are the buildings? Where are the dormitories? Shocks, later I’ve realized that the
university doesn’t have a wall nor a gate, I mean a gate with a security guard
with the sign: NO ID, NO ENTRY. At first I don’t like much the situation of the
university, which anyone can get into the campus, since the campus is according
to them the like the University of the Philippines having distant collages thus
the students need to ride a pedicab in order to get into their respective
colleges immediately.
Later
on,
as a foreigner in this land, I should be the one to adjust or blend
with
the people while I stay here thus I was able to adapt and abide the
rules and
blend with the lifestyle that this university have. Later I enjoy
getting along
with the people here, whether they’re a Muslim, a Christian or an
Atheist,
regardless of their cultural background and races, I am able to respect
their decisions and beliefs, i acquired the spirit of flexibility, and
that's one of the thing that I have learned here.
The
lifestyle here in MSU is definitely different from the other university or
cities. In here although not all of us, I mean having different courses are not
wearing university, we still have dress codes. In here, we should dress
modestly, wearing of too revealing clothes are strictly prohibited, it’s not
because its too cold here, but because we’re here in the Islamic City of
Marawi, thus we should be conservative in wearing clothes especially among
woman. Well with this setting I am much comfortable, because I don’t have to
worry if will be not updated about the latest fashion of clothes or what they
commonly referred to as out of fashion girls. In other words, I could just wear
the available clothes that I have in my locker, as long as its not too daring
or it’s a modest cloth.
Unlike
other cities, there are streets that anywhere you can see some students or
anyone drinking alcoholic drinks or taking illegal drugs. Here, you can just
see students happily playing guitars while singing, sound trips, of course the
undying noisy dota players at net cafes, watching movies and eating at food
stores at 5th street or at the commercial center, and students who
are busy studying and sleeping
Because
of the cold weather, honestly, sometimes when I was in first year, I seldom
took a bath during my P.E. class which starts at seven in the morning (if I know
some students doesn’t too, not just sometimes but many times). But I learned to
love the weather, because somehow I feel like I’m in Baguio City, with all the
fogs effect pa! J. Maybe
that’s one of the reasons why there are so many abortion issues and unwanted
babies that are “produced” in here (just kidding).
Eating
Meranao specialties is a no no thing for me at first. It’s smell and its look
is some how not good to me. The yellow rice and the other species made me sick.
But later on, I often look for the yellow rice, I appreciated its taste, I now
love to eat it!
As
a teenager and as a college student, most of us we are excited to engage in to
boy-girl relationship, because our parents are not here, thus we have the
freedom to have boyfriend or girlfriend, escape from classes and spend our
allowance whenever we want to. But, I tell you, some including me don’t love to
commit ourselves with these things. In pursuing our dreams, we should take one
step at a time, so that we will not suffer and get pressured in doing things. I
mean we came her to study not to look for a boyfriend, to learn and not to
escape classes. It’s hard not to stay focus on our goal, it’s like in driving,
you need to focus on the road, otherwise accidents will happen.
Now,
as my graduation is fast approaching, somehow there’s a part of me that saying
: “I don’t want to leave this place yet, this is my comfort zone already and much
of what happened to my life happened here. I mean, as this place is far away
from my hometown, I’ve learned to be independent, decide on my own guided by
God and my brethren and close friends, I am somehow really mold by this place to stand on my own. Indeed
this institution is not just a mere school, but a teacher in life, on how to start
with the next stage in life as I go out here in MSU.
