Chapter 2: My First Day in the UK
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20 hours later, I've finally landed in the United Kingdom. London Heathrow Airport.
I got down the plane, with the adrenaline rushed upon my chest. But funny enough I kept having this feeling that something's gonna go wrong. After two of my friends left with their cabs, I didn't know what to do.
Before my flight to the UK, I actually booked with the university for the free shuttle from the airport to campus. I never received any emails regarding what to do. But it was my fault that I never checked with them how does it work. I didn't know where to wait for the bus, I wasn't even sure if anyone, anybody's gonna come and get me. I was alone, scared, worried.
It was freakin' 07:00 in the morning!
As I was not so familiar with the culture of England, my university's business hour starts at 09:00. I spammed their emails and phone calls (although I knew it wouldn't help) but I was hoping for a miracle. I didn't want to purchase a sim card because my friend told me usually every university would give out free sim cards to students (please don't judge if you don't understand student life!).
I prayed to God to help me.
I even whatsapped my education agent about my situation. She kinda freaked out but she couldn't help too because of the university's business hour (way to go, university.. What a service to welcome your international students).
I decided to wait somewhere near the main door and a power supply to charge my poor phone. Lucky enough, by God's grace, I saw a guy took our a piece of paper with my university logo on it. I FREAKED OUT and I literally walked up to him (in a not so freaky way), and asked if he was waiting for the free shuttle too.
HALLELUJAH PRAISE THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY!!
I've never been that relieved, ever. I was so happy and thankful. I thought I would have to find my own way to my campus, without a UK sim card, and carrying two huge luggages in the train station and bus! Thank God those were just a dream, a nightmare I mean.
Long story, I reached my campus. I was sooooo amazed! Sorry I didn't take any videos or photos because I was appreciating what I was seeing. I still remember those feelings. Butterflies in my stomach. Wonders in my eyes. I really cannot believe (I know I mentioned it alot of times, but SERIOUS!) I AM IN THE UNITED KINGDOM A.K.A. UK!! The Angmo land haha
This is just the beginning.
After I got my room key, a guy decided to help me to carry my luggage to my flat. Thank Godness he was willing to help a damsel in distress (I ain't exaggerating!).
Okay here comes the sorta emotional parts of that first day of my UK life.
I remember when I got the key to my flat and room, the person in charge specifically told me not to leave my keys in the room because my door locks itself automatically (Yes I was living in a newly renovated flat). When I put down all my things, I decided to explore my flat instead of unpacking my luggages. And guess what? I went on a flat tour WITHOUT MY PRECIOUS KEYS :') HAHAHA speechless ey?
Wait wait wait.. here's something better.
I went on a flat tour without my precious keys AND MY PHONE :')
Oh boy, can this get any worst? HAHAHA let me finish!
I went on a flat tour without my precious keys and my phone WHEN NONE OF MY FLATMATES ARE AROUND :')
Oh oh oh !! I almost forgot.
I went on a flat tour without my precious keys and my phone when none of my flatmates are around AND I WAS SHOELESS :')
Who am I gonna call? Who's gonna help me? Where can I even go with my bare legs :'D hahaha I was so emotional, not to mention it was the time of the month (these things are normal to share! Don't be surprise). I don't know if anyone can understand how I was feeling that moment.
Don't worry eventually two of my flatmates came back and my door was opened. That was when I met Kelly the Australian, and Isabelle the American who are both exchange students.
Another problem, I couldn't connect to the Wi-Fi so I went to ask around. Funny thing was, everyone was pointing me to elsewhere. Long story short, I went AROUND MY CAMPUS and ended up stopping in The Oval, which is just 2 mins walk from my flat to fix my Wi-Fi connection. I went AROUND MY CAMPUS. Let me say that again. I WENT AROUND. If you still don't get me, please google map "University of Hertfordshire, College Lane Campus" and see how HUGE my campus is. I went around and then ended up stopping somewhere near my flat.
My Flat was the white building in the middle. Not really that one, but behind it. Somewhere there. You don't need to get what I mean HAHA
OK. Wi-Fi fixed. My last and final emotional incident of the day.
I signed up for free groceries trip to ASDA (which is a nearby huge hypermarket) with my flatmates, Kelly and Isabelle. OK, remember how I said I have to take my time well during my grocery shopping. But the driver don't give a fluff at all. They gave everyone 45 mins to get their stuff and be back at the same place to leave to campus. Long story short, after like 50-55 mins (yeah I was sort of over time) and I came out. I saw a same car at the same spot, so I eventually put all my stuff in the car. But there was this girl in the car looking at me like I am an Alien or something. She asked me in the end "excuse me, are you with this car?" I looked around I was like "yeah I am". Then when few other girls came back, we then realized the car was full, and I literally can't recognize any of them from the previous car. That was when I know, I was left behind. I tried to keep my cools together. I apologized to them because one of the girl had to be left behind (she was late anyways). Eventually I got to know them and they are now my friends still hehe. One of the girls is in the same course as me too! They helped me to carry all my stuff back to my flat. The reason why I took so much time, it's because I need to get so many essentials like pillows, duvet, shampoo and stuff.
Thank God among all the miseries and emotions, I still knew that in the end, God sent His angels to me anyways. He sent people to let me know there were people waiting for the free shuttle too, He sent people to help carrying my luggages, He sent people to keep me accompanied. In a nutshell, it was a very very emotional day for me. But I can still say, God was and is good! He truly is :) I never regret having those experiences. See, I have stories to tell haha.
Being in an unknown environment is seriously not easy, it was not what I expected. But I could say it was definitely worth going through! I thank God I've been through these myself and also with God! Thank you, Lord!
Yours truly
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