JOURNEY TO UK

My trip to the UK was not a simple one. I faced several obstacles, but I also learned a lot along the way. I've always wanted to see the world, and because doing so has been on my bucket list, there was a moment when I chose to study abroad. I looked into nations with the best education. After finishing my undergraduate degree in India, I eventually found the UK for my postgraduate studies.

 

PREPARATIONS 

I started getting ready to go to the UK after receiving my visa. I started by doing some preparation, buying for my journey because I had learned from my research about the culture, currency, places, job opportunities, and the weather, which is a little colder in the UK than it is in India. Second, there are very few direct flights to Belfast, UK, where I bought a ticket. As a result, I had to fly from Delhi to London and then from London to Belfast. I also reserved a car because I live in Patiala, Punjab, to go to Delhi.

WARM GET TOGETHER WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS

My family and friends surprised me with a lovely get-together at my favorite restaurant. One of my all-time favorite gatherings was that one. Beautiful cakes and gifts with a UK theme were brought to the restaurant by my paternal and maternal families. A unique dance organized by my friends for me to brighten my day made me emotional and happy at the same time. From all of my loved ones, I received a laptop, a travel bag, picture collages, and chocolates. 

I spent the entire following day with my girlfriend. She gave me a silver bracelet that had our names on it as a symbol of our affection. When I went to her house to meet her parents, they handed me a gold chain in addition to their best wishes. 

 

As an international student, I was undoubtedly thrilled to begin a new chapter of my life in the UK, but I was also a bit sad to leave my friends and family behind.

 

DELHI AIRPORT

Due to the busy Jan intake period for students, there were many people when my parents and I arrived at Delhi Airport. I arrived there on December 26, 2022, around 10 PM because my flight wasn't until 3:20 AM on December 27, 2022. When I arrived at the airport, there was a long line in the boarding area. It took me almost an hour to finish boarding, after which I went to the immigration line. The immigration officer then called me and inquired about my studies and my destination. After passing through immigration, the final step was security, where my clothes and handbags were checked. After finishing everything, I immediately walked to the plane and got my seat. The jet started moving at 3:20 am but was unable to take off due to heavy fog in the area. After 1:30 hours, the plane finally takes off its flight to London.

 

LONDON TO BELFAST

I was sick of sitting still after an 11-hour journey. When I stepped off the plane, London Heathrow Airport caught my attention. Its constructed architecture differs from that of Delhi Airport. I exited terminal 5 and made my way to terminal 2, where domestic flights departed. I then took an airport shuttle bus to get to the terminal. I was a stranger there when I arrived at terminal 2, so the workers at the airport assisted me in making my way to the immigration department. After finishing, I walked to a coffee shop where I enjoyed coffee and pastries while reading a sports magazine. After an hour of waiting, I returned to the plane, where I played games in the seat-back scene. London's flying time is almost exactly one and a half hours. When I arrived in Belfast, I collected my belongings, exited the airport, and then got a taxi to my friend's house.

OVERALL EXPERIENCE

Arriving in Belfast was a singular and life-changing experience for me. I gained a wealth of knowledge there, including the value of parents, homes, food, and money.

 

Also, I believe that I learn something new every day in this place, including new things about people, food, culture, and, most importantly, the educational atmosphere. I think it was a wise decision to choose to study in the United Kingdom.