“How different could it be, moving from one city to another?” is what I told myself whilst stuffing one more skirt into the bulging front pocket of my suitcase. I zipped the bag up quickly as I heard my mum’s footsteps down the hall, forgetting to acknowledge the fingernail I’d lost in the process. Clothes: 1, Taraasha: 0
As a matter of fact, I never wore that skirt. I forgot to unpack it, and I found her crumpled as ever right where I’d stuffed it about three months ago.
I’d come to find that this was the first of many changes (some good, others not so much) that moving to London brought within me. Almost four years later, I don’t even recognise the girl I left behind in Dubai.
Change is prevalent all around in a new city. The food, the people, the language even. Sure, English is my first language, but “you alright?” sounded harsher in my head than it was implied. But over time, it became something I even used myself.
Moving from Dubai to London
My first home in London was an ensuite room in New Cross Gate, a stone’s throw away from my university. It was difficult. Towards the end of July, after a year of girl dinners (and the horrors of a shared kitchen), I’d gone two jean sizes down with renewed determination to find myself a studio moving forward.
This setup was better than my second year, though, in what I now like to call ‘The Studio of Doom.’ In the privately owned 3-storey student accommodation that seemed too good to be true for the price, I faced everything from a rat infestation, borderline breakup, hormonal fluctuations, landlord from hell, massive breakout, alleged haunting, friendship breakups and loneliness, to name a few.
And then Vita Student came into my life, exactly when I needed it most.
the home I always wanted
Within seconds of being inside Vita Student Lewisham Exchange, I saw quality that speaks for itself.
During my tour of the building, the wonderful staff walked me through all the amenities. It was clear that they really care about the students, and everything was tastefully built to make the student lives infinitely easier.
Not to mention my newfound zeal for cooking. Having had two years of disastrous kitchens, Vita Student’s cooking spaces were more than welcome. As a culinary experimenter, one scroll too far on Foodtok means a trip to the supermarket. Thankfully, Lewisham Exchange is right near all the amenities.
Friends that become family
In my two years at Vita Student, I’ve hosted my friends more often than I ever did before. The people I met during my time at Vita Student became my home away from home.
From my birthday tea party, game nights accompanied by chai and Maggi, sleepovers, and our annual, much-anticipated Diwali parties. All of which are made possible with the incredible bookable rooms in the building.
Whilst it’s never truly easy to navigate a whole new country, as I enter my fourth year of being away from home, I realise every day how important these experiences truly are.
My favourite thing about the UK
There’s so much I love about being here. But the thing I enjoy the most is the spontaneity that living at Lewisham Exchange gives me.
One moment you’re bored, the next you’re picking up your jaw walking past your favourite author in the university hallway. On Friday, you have no weekend plans; on Saturday, you’re heading to a bougie Pilates class on the opposite side of the city.. And just when you’re tired of city life, you may find out that you live 15 minutes away from an animal sanctuary.
That skirt I never unpacked wasn’t really about the skirt. I look back at the girl who packed it, and I don’t think she’d believe who I’ve become since. But I think she’d be proud.
Moving away from home changes you in ways you might’ve never expected, but what I find most valuable is holding your own throughout.
