I grew up in a lively joint family household in India where I lived with my parents, siblings, uncles, aunts, and cousins. I have fond memories of us gathering for meals and sharing stories about our days. Whilst I loved being surrounded by my family, it limited my opportunities to make friendships outside of my home. Coming to the UK finally allowed me to make friends from all over the world and enriched my knowledge about other cultures outside of my own.

I arrived in London in September 2020 during lockdown. I was quarantined for 14 days, and it was the loneliest time of my life. I missed my family and friends back in India, and I felt so isolated. I was worried that I would fall into depression, so I did everything within my power to overcome this. I started participating in online university events, and I eventually made some incredible friends. I also got a part-time job as a Student and Curriculum Ambassador and an internship with the Tax and Accountancy Clinic at UEL, which kept me busy and gave me invaluable work experience. I would videocall my family which made me feel close to them and gave me the motivation and optimism to thrive in this vulnerable situation.  

One of the things I miss most from India are the festivals and the sense of community in Indian culture. I miss celebrating festivals with family and friends, where we would gather, eat, dance, play games, and have lots of fun together. One of the ways I managed to re-create home in London was through leading the Indian society at UEL and through eating the foods I grew up on at amazing restaurants such as Dishoom in London.

If I could offer one piece of advice to anyone who is thinking about studying abroad, it would be to be proactive. Don't be afraid to reach out for help, meet new people, and get involved in activities that interest you. To my fellow introverts, I’d advise you to invest time into creating friendships. Having even just a couple of trustworthy friends can make a world of difference during your university experience and I couldn’t have overcome my challenges without them.

Studying abroad can be an overwhelming experience, but it can also be an incredibly rewarding one. It's a chance to step outside of your comfort zone, experience a new country and culture, and grow as a person. I wouldn't trade my experience for anything.