I vividly and visibly remember that day as if it was just
yesterday! The day when my feet stepped into that gate, the massive gate of
Technical University of Mombasa where I was to spend my life for two and a half
years. The receptionist directed me to my respective department. Though I
wasn’t familiar with the environment, I somehow found my way through. I met a
security guard at the entrance who directed me to the office the moment he
realized I was a new student.
In the office I was welcomed by a warm smile from a middle
aged woman whom I later came to realize that she was the C.O.D of the
Communication Studies department. She cordially handed me the timetable and
escorted me to my class. The lecturer wasn’t in class yet so it was the strange
faces I saw which welcomed me. I don’t know if it was about the window or my
instinct that drove me to that short guy who became my ally till to date. He
was so talkative and fun, maybe that is what made me cling onto to him like a
tick on a cow’s skin. He was the first friend I made in campus.
Life became interesting and full of fun as days went by. I
made new friends both in class and outside the class. I also met some of my
high school buddies who made life even more easier for me. Life wasn’t just
full of fun and games but also tiresome with full of long night assignments,
less sleep, early mornings lectures and endless projects. After all that is
what had taken me to school so it didn’t bother me so much keeping in mind that
it was the only way to get my diploma when I graduate.
Too much work without play makes Jack a dull boy. Since I am
an artist by nature, and when I say an ‘artist’ I mean everything that revolves
around art, I joined the school drama club as an active member since acting and
poetry are what I do best in life because they run in my veins. Apart from the
drama club, I also participated in other school activities such as the
‘Cultural Week’ which is done annually. It is because of the cultural week
activity which made me realize that there were associations for every community
in the school and thus I also made new acquaintances from those of my community
through this activity. Each community in the institution is given an
opportunity to showcase its diverse culture during this week and it is also the
week where we get to know the “MR. and MRS. TUM”
 |
| Photo taken during the 2019 TUM Cultural Week Festival |
Life in TUM has been worth living and I can’t keep calm when
I know there comes a date that will blur our visions especially from all those
that I have shared a class with, a family bonded by grades and love, supported
by our academic father Mr. Sagala, academic mother Madam Eve and academic
brother Mr. Billy who were more than just lecturers to us. The date that we
would all sit for our final exam and part ways thereafter, each one of us back
to their homes. I surely can’t bear parting ways with such a family but what
gives me more hope is that on the graduation day, we will meet again. The
smiles on our faces will outshine the sun, laughter and celebrations will
fill the atmosphere.
BY: BRIAN MRIRA
@brianmrira
