Studying abroad was never really my dream.
It was something I saw played out in front of me.
Growing up, I watched my sisters move to different parts of the world – the UK, the US – building lives of their own. Their journeys became something I looked up to, even if I didn’t consciously realise it at the time.
And alongside that, my father always had this vision for me – that one day, I would go abroad, study at a great university, and experience life beyond what I had always known.
So somewhere in between their journeys and his dreams, this idea got planted in me.
A quick decision
During my undergraduate years, the thought of studying abroad was always there, but it stayed in the background.
I even had a list of dream universities I would love to go to someday. Names like HEC Paris, Imperial, and Warwick were always in my mind. But life moved on, and I got caught up in my degree, internships, and everything else.
By the time I graduated, I had almost forgotten about it.
I was focused on staying in India, preparing for MBA entrances, following a more “conventional” path.
But life doesn’t always have a plan.
Getting into top Indian colleges is extremely competitive, and suddenly I found myself at a crossroads. Within a month, I had to decide: do I keep searching for a job, or do I take a leap and start my master’s abroad?
At just 20, it felt like a huge decision. But I tried not to overthink it, and just applied.
Rejection as redirection
By the time I started applying, I was already late in the cycle.
Some of my dream universities had closed their applications. That narrowed my choices down. I applied to the ones still open including Warwick and HEC Paris.
I was pretty sad that I got rejected from HEC Paris. But then, something amazing happened. I got into Warwick.
I still remember that moment. It didn’t feel real. My entire family was overwhelmed with happiness. It wasn’t just an admission, it felt like something much bigger like a door opening that we had all been hoping for.
I had one last decision to make.
Do I go this year or wait?
Within a few hours, after talking to my sisters and family, I said yes.
My arrival story (which didn’t go to plan)
My journey to the UK started in the most unexpected way.
My parents were supposed to travel with me, help me settle in, and explore the country together. Everything was planned.
Except one thing – my visa didn’t arrive on time.
Theirs did. So, they had to leave without me.
I was back in Delhi, waiting, while they were already in the UK. It felt strange, watching them start the journey without me.
Luckily, a few days later, my visa finally arrived.
Everything after that was chaos – booking flights, sending luggage separately, last-minute packing. And then, I flew alone and landed in Edinburgh where my parents were waiting for me.
It was honestly a mix of emotions, leaving my brother behind, travelling alone, and then being welcomed by my parents on the other side. Not the arrival I imagined, but definitely one I’ll never forget.
Culture: different from what I expected
Being part of Gen Z, I thought I already understood global culture.
We grow up watching international shows, movies, and content. I felt like I already knew what to expect, and in many ways, that was true. Some things really stood out, though.
The culture of politeness in the UK is real.
People greet you, ask how you are, speak gently, even in small, everyday interactions. It’s something I wasn’t used to, and it felt like a subtle but meaningful cultural shift.
It made me more aware of how people interact, and how little gestures can make a difference.
Academic life: challenging but worth it
Studying at Warwick has been one of the best decisions I’ve made. I can’t lie, it hasn’t been easy, though.
Coming from a management background and stepping into a technical course like Business Analytics was definitely challenging. There were moments where I felt like I was struggling to keep up.
But what made the difference was the support system.
The professors and programme team are incredibly approachable and always willing to help. That makes a huge difference when you’re navigating something new.
And beyond academics, Warwick offers so much more – from factory visits like Range Rover to events like Winter Ball, Christmas markets, and so many cultural activities.
The campus itself, the facilities, the environment – it all adds to the experience.
It doesn’t just feel like studying. It feels like living.
Finding home at Vita Student
Choosing where to live was one of the biggest decisions I had to make.
Since I applied late, most university accommodations were already full. That’s when my sister played a huge role.
She had lived in different accommodations during her time in the UK, and the one place she truly recommended was Vita Student.
I trusted her experience.
At first, the pricing made me hesitate. But when I looked deeper at the facilities, environment, and community, it felt like something more than just accommodation.
And choosing Vita Student Copper Towers turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made.
The weekday breakfast, cleaning services, regular events – these things might sound small, but when you’re living alone in a new country, they matter a lot.
But more than anything, Vita gave me people.
The friends at Vita who made it home
Before even arriving in Coventry, I had already started connecting with people through Vita. And somehow, many of them ended up being in the same building, even the same course.
That made the transition so much easier.
Some of my closest friends today are people I met through Vita. And not just from my course, people from completely different backgrounds, cultures, and countries.
I’ve played games with students from Turkey, learned Mahjong from Chinese friends, and had random late-night Uno sessions that turned into core memories.
That’s the beauty of it. It’s not where you live, it’s who you grow with.
Growth, reality, and what no one tells you
Moving abroad teaches you a lot.
Not just independence but reality.
You learn that things won’t always go smoothly. You’ll face challenges, unexpected situations, even moments where you feel completely lost. In those situations, one thing becomes very clear:
Your family matters more than ever. That includes your chosen family.
Being away from home made me realise how important it is to stay connected. No matter what happens, they are the people who truly stand by you.
If there’s one piece of advice I would give to any international student, it’s this:
Stay close to your family. Talk to them. Share everything.
Because no matter how far you are, they remain your biggest support system.
Looking back and moving forward
If my younger self could see me today, I think she’d be surprised.
Not just because I moved abroad, but because of who I’ve become – more independent, more aware, and more confident in handling life on my own.
This journey didn’t go exactly as planned. There were ups and downs, moments of doubt, and unexpected turns. Yet everything still fell into place. And maybe that’s the point.
Coming abroad wasn’t just about studying, it was about discovering myself.
And I think I’m finally starting to.
