International alumnus finds inspiration from time in E.L.

Despite the typical adjustments one encounters, freshman year of college can influence some of the best memories in a person’s life — and it’s these memories that Garry Kay of Cornwall, England, writes about in his series of books titled “1983.”

Although Kay spent his freshman year at the University of Surrey, about an hour southwest of London, he credits the year he spent as an exchange student at MSU as being a huge influence on his books.

“It took six months — culture shock — to get used to it,” he said. “But it was probably the most wonderful experience I had for a long time. It was wonderful.”

After Kay’s flight to New York, it was the bus ride to East Lansing that started his stay off on the wrong foot. His suitcase, which was packed full of a year’s worth of clothing, was misplaced en route.

Luckily, he had a friendly resident mentor awaiting him at MSU.

“It was quite interesting, because I needed the RA. He was the only one there when I got there and he helped me out with some spare clothes and sorted me out, and as people turned out they helped me with other things,” Kay said.

Cultural aid MJ Crawford of the Office of Cultural and Academic Transitions said he hopes each international student coming to MSU receives this kind of hospitality.

“Literally, my main goal is for students to come here and just integrate themselves with American students and culture,” Crawford said.

And integrate Kay did.

From bar hopping around town to going on spring break in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Kay fit right in with his American peers, and even met the friend who would become the best man for his wedding.

It’s this relatability that he uses in his book to engage the reader, Kay said.

“The main theme … is simplicity and just using ordinary people,” he said. “It won’t be bizarre characters that aren’t believable. It gives the reader a chance to be in there with the characters and live the lives and share the emotions of the characters.”

Kay said his book embraces a formerly ignored era that only recently has become fashionable again as the British era of new romanticism is reviving.

New romanticism, anchored by ’80s synth pop bands, was a subgenre of British pop music, said Shawn Parker, the music manager at Barnes and Noble Booksellers, 333 E. Grand River Ave.

Parker said the era was less of a cultural thing but still had ideological undertones.

But the revival of the genre wasn’t Kay’s reason to write “1983” — his motive was describing the life transition of going to college, rather than writing about a specific year or time.

“It’s about the first year of college,” Kay said. “A blend of (MSU) and the University of Surrey, and the people I met and the things they got up to and basically their journey in life from being part of a family home with everything set up for them and standing on their own two feet. It’s them progressing to breaking free from the parents, I suppose, and then learning to be an individual.”

Part one of “1983,” “I Want To Break Free,” is available now, with plans for three follow-up books.