MSU is not just a School

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 5^th 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.