The past ten days have probably been the fastest ten days that I have ever lived. Having waited for my IELTS scores for more than a month and a half, I had almost given up any hopes of starting my Masters course at the University of Glasgow. But the method of things just falling into place in a span of less than ten days has been nothing short of a miracle.
Right from receiving my 'Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies' (CAS) from the University of Glasgow, to managing a UK student visa on priority, sorting out all the financial formalities and squeezing out a flight ticket, everything just flew by so smoothly that I didn't even feel it to say the truth.
In a way, things happening so quickly was actually an advantage as it didn't allow any time for anxiety. Before I could even realize it, I was walking across the alley of the Glasgow airport. It was then when it hit me that I was in a new place, a new country, all by myself. Although I had pre-booked being received by the UofG team at the airport itself which would take me to my allotted accommodation, but the booking was scheduled for 12:00 - 1:00 PM while it was already 3:30 PM when I reached the exit hall of Glasgow airport.
The first thing that I did at that moment was to buy a UK sim card so that I may contact home. No sooner had I switched on my phone with the new sim card that I saw a group of three girls in yellow t-shirts with 'University of Glasgow' inscribed on the back. They had me on their list and were happy to get me on the bus to Uni even though it was way past my scheduled arrival.
The 35-minute bus ride was the time when the feeling of being in Glasgow actually started to sink in. I spent most of the journey chatting to Annie, the University student volunteer, who told me some of the basics of life in Glasgow. And before my anxiety could get the better of me, we had arrived at 'Maclay Residences', the university accommodation for post graduate students.
There was another 'accommodation team' waiting at a small desk outside the first block who handed me my keys, some essential info in a packet and directed me to my block 'Cooperage Place # 6'which was directly opposite.
Hence begins my journey to an adventurous and exciting year at the world famous 'U of G' !
