I’m a full-time SOAS student in my fifties. Here’s why I came back to university

MA Iranian Studies student Sian shares her motivations for returning to university full-time to learn Persian and her experiences of settling in so far.

My name is Sian, and I'm a full-time SOAS student in my fifties. How did I get here? Well, I used to work as a language teacher and supported my children who were home-educated. Then, in 2020, there were two pivotal changes to my life; my younger child finished his home education, and I lost my teaching job as a consequence of the pandemic. What to do now? 

I’d been dreaming of returning to university for years

Mature students tend to be grouped into three categories: learning-oriented learners, goal-oriented learners, and activity-oriented learners. My motivations place me in the first and last of these groups. While returning to university is not the first thing which might spring to most people's minds, it was something I'd been dreaming of for years.

My first degree was in languages (Arabic and French), and I'm a bit of a linguaphile. Having briefly lived in Iran as a child without learning Persian, other than greetings and numbers 1-10, I still harboured a desire to learn it.  

My daughter is also at SOAS. When I hesitantly mentioned that I, too, was thinking of taking up a place here, she said, 'Can't you find any other university to study at?' The answer was no - surprisingly, not many places teach Persian.

Secondly, I have had Iranian friends over the years, and now hope to get involved with supporting refugees and asylum seekers in my hometown of Nottingham; a working knowledge of Persian would help me to better connect with new arrivals in their own language.

And so now I find myself at SOAS taking an MA in Iranian Studies, with the main aim of developing my Persian language. Coincidentally, my daughter is also at SOAS. When I hesitantly mentioned that I, too, was thinking of taking up a place here, she said, 'Can't you find any other university to study at?' The answer was no - surprisingly, not many places teach Persian.

Overcoming challenges when returning to study 

There have certainly been challenges to returning to study. Balancing time, finances, and other commitments has not been easy, but the budgeting and time-management skills I've developed over the years have proved their worth.  

I was also worried about the social aspect; would I feel alienated in a classroom full of bright young things? Would the university hall be quiet enough for me, or would I be woken up at 3 am by someone throwing up outside my room after a night on the town?

The benefits of living in London: sunrise views over the city, singing classes, cheap theatre tickets and all the museums.

I needn't have worried. The SOAS environment is nothing if not diverse, and this includes a diversity of age. Despite being referred to as "that super old one" by a fellow resident at Paul Robeson, I was not even the oldest student in my classes, and once my classmates and I got to know each other, age was no barrier to mixing in and out of the classroom.

My age can actually be an advantage 

In some ways, I feel my age is an advantage. I have a much more focused motivation for studying than when I was an undergraduate. I know exactly what I want and how to get it. I am also determined to make the most of being in London with everything it has to offer.

I've had so many opportunities to support my degree studies: documentary screening and Q&A with the Iranian filmmaker, an art exhibition of Iranian female actors, Persian poetry readings, visits to the British Museum Persia section, services at a Persian-speaking church, and conversation practice with Iranian classmates. As well as the benefits which come from living in the capital, including sunrise views over the city, singing classes, cheap theatre tickets and all the museums!

Almost everyone I've met, from fellow students to lecturers and course convenors, has been more supportive than I could have imagined. Studying at SOAS is absolutely a decision I do not regret.

If you're thinking of furthering your studies, come to the SOAS Postgraduate Open Evening on 13 March.