Back in England

I came back to the country that used to be my home for two years again in September. Instead of a Surrey high school full of uniformed pupils, I went to University College London (UCL) this time, a university belonging to the elite G5 group. I am now mid-way through week seven, and it’s hard to believe that my first exam is up in just two days!

The campus is in the very heart of London, and my dorm is about 30 minutes’ walk away. My room is my shelter from the bustle of the metropolis and the place to study. My older mates told me that finding a vacant chair at the university is almost a superhuman task during the exam period. Allegedly, students often occupy library seats in the evening just before closing so they can work there the next day. So I’m getting used to studying “at home” now.

UCL’s student union offers a broad range of extracurricular activities. I enrolled in several clubs connected with my program, focused on helping students to gain experience and skills vital in the search for good jobs. I let my head rest a little during yoga lessons and on trips around England. UCL is part of the University of London, which enabled me to become a member of their student union and reconvene with my favorite sport – archery.

Christmas holidays will start in less than five weeks, and I will go home to see my family, as other students will. But I am certain now that I will miss London and UCL.