University Of Bristol Student Pens 2nd Book

Ali Hani Al Muhanna wrote his first book – a semi-autobiographical novel called A Cruel Path to Clear Perception – when he was just 16.

His new work, Chasing Home, Away From Home: The Struggles of Adulthood, is a non-fiction guide for students studying in a new country.

Ali again drew on his own experiences, this time moving from his home in Kuwait to Bristol earlier this year for a foundation STEM course at the University of Bristol. Once finished he plans to study for a degree and PhD in Psychology at the same university.

Ali wanted to help fellow international students adapting to the culture shock of a new and unfamiliar place. Ali’s own move was made easier by falling in love with “truly amazing” Bristol.

He said: “Everyone here is so kind, especially all my teachers and everyone in the faculty.

“The community in Bristol has been very friendly. It’s so easy to connect with people because everyone wants to create work with each other to represent a small, vibrant city that’s really, truly amazing.”

The cover of Chasing Home, Away From Home features a silhouetted Ali dreaming of Kuwait City, amid famous British building. He signed copies of the book in the Richmond Building on Thursday.

When Ali published his first book in 2021 he was the youngest Kuwaiti to write a book in English. He only revealed that it was based on his life at a TEDx Talk in Kuwait earlier this year.

He describes the book as a “kind of therapy”. It follows a fictional young man, Yahya, as he reflects on his childhood, but draws heavily on Ali’s own difficult childhood.

He “used that rock bottom to turn my life around” and now plans to become a psychologist. He intends to publish more books in the future.

“I want to help people overcome like I have,” he said. “Mental health worldwide is being talked about more but in Kuwait we have less than 200 qualified therapists.”