‘I cried every day’: Study-abroad student considered leaving the UK but staying changed his life

By Dhruv Gandhi

NEW DELHI: Studying abroad has always been my dream. I had imagined it so many times — stepping into a new country, meeting new people, and starting a fresh chapter in my life.

But when I finally landed in the United Kingdom, reality hit me hard. My bus to the university was scheduled for 4 am and so, I spent the entire night at the airport. By the time I reached the University of East Anglia, where I had secured admission, completed the registration process, and was quarantined in my accommodation, the feeling of isolation became overwhelming. I cried almost every day for the first three months.

It wasn’t the grand arrival I had envisioned. There was no one to welcome me. Instead, I walked into a lonely room, part of a mandatory quarantine period because of Covid-19. There were moments when I questioned my decision entirely and seriously considered packing my bags and returning to India.

But I didn’t. I stayed and that decision changed my life.

Finding strength

Staying wasn’t easy but it was worth it. Slowly, I began to adapt. As restrictions eased, I started exploring the campus and the city of Norwich. Over time, I found friends and built connections. What once felt like a foreign land began to feel like home.

The initial days were tough. Adjusting to a foreign land, understanding the new academic system, and dealing with cultural differences felt daunting. Simple things like understanding accents or making friends seemed like monumental tasks. It was a steep learning curve, but I reached out to the university's support services, attended the freshers' fair and sought advice from seniors to navigate through these hurdles.

Also read Australia revises student visa policy to streamline offshore application processing

The decision to study in the UK wasn’t made lightly. While researching study-abroad options, I came across the placement year programmes offered in the UK. These programmes allow students to extend their three-year degree to four years, with the third year dedicated to gaining industry experience. This aspect really appealed to me.

One of the turning points for me was my placement year in Milton Keynes. During my placement year, I worked with Nissan Motors in Milton Keynes, handling procurement and supply chain operations. It was an incredible opportunity to apply what I had learned academically in a professional setting. The experience of buying parts for Nissan cars gave me insights into real-world business operations and enhanced my understanding of supply chain management. Working in a big company, experiencing a new city, and navigating professional challenges gave me a sense of purpose and confidence.

That year helped me realise how much I had grown and how capable I was of handling the challenges of living abroad.

Also read ‘I’ve seen students delivering food’: Expert on Canada’s study visa policies and why demand may drop 50%

Study Abroad: Delhi to Norwich

I come from a humble background in Delhi. My dad works in a pharmaceutical company and my mom is a homemaker. I have an elder sister who works as a neuro-physiotherapist at Max Hospital, Saket.

I completed my schooling at Delhi Public School, Vasant Kunj, graduating in 2020 as part of the Covid batch. Our grades were calculated based on a mix of Class 10 results, Class 11 performance, and Class 12 pre-boards, as we didn’t get to sit for board exams. I studied commerce with maths, focusing on subjects like business studies, economics, and accountancy.

I will say, I am incredibly grateful to my parents for supporting my education.

Convincing them to let me study abroad was a journey in itself. I had to present my research, demonstrate my confidence, and assure them of the long-term benefits of this decision.

My father initially wanted to send my sister abroad as she had completed her bachelor's in physiotherapy in India, but I managed to convince him that this was the right path for me.

Studying abroad was always a goal for me, inspired by cousins who went to the US for their master’s degrees. Initially, I planned to follow their path, but due to certain factors, I pivoted to the UK. The US required grades from Class 9 to Class 12, and since my grades in Class 9 weren’t strong, I shifted my focus to the UK.

Academically, I’ve always been diligent. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, I scored 95.2% in my Class 12 board results. This academic consistency continued in university, even though adapting to a new system took time.

The UK’s reputation as a global financial hub and my interest in economics and finance made it the perfect choice.

Also read MBBS Abroad: NMC issues advisory on admissions, lists criteria for practising in India

University of East Anglia Norwich: Lessons learned

The accommodation aspect was fairly straightforward. For the first year, I stayed in on-campus housing, which is guaranteed for first-year undergraduates and master's students. It provided a sense of security and convenience. In my second year, I moved off-campus with friends, sharing a four-bedroom house. Living off-campus was more economical and gave me a taste of independence and shared responsibilities.

Cooking was another life skill I had to master. Back in India, I had never cooked and this became a significant challenge during my first year.

This is advice I now give to students planning to study abroad: learn some basic recipes before you leave. Initially, I relied on video calls with my mother, asking her to guide me step-by-step on how to prepare meals. Next, my mother began sending me voice notes with detailed recipes. These recordings became my lifeline, teaching me not only how to cook but also how to be self-reliant in a completely new environment.

But then, another thing I’m glad that studying abroad taught me was diversifying my food options. I’ve tried multiple cuisines here — Turkish, Japanese, Mediterranean — and each has been a delightful experience. Back in India, I never thought I’d explore so many different flavours, but living here and cooking my own meals opened my eyes to the world of culinary possibilities. It made me realise there’s so much more to food than what I was accustomed to.

Studying in the UK: More than academics

Looking back, this journey has been about more than just academics. It has been about discovering myself, facing challenges head-on, and learning to adapt to an entirely new environment. Those early days of loneliness and doubt shaped me in ways I couldn’t have imagined.

Now, as I prepare to graduate, I feel a deep sense of gratitude. The University of East Anglia and Norwich have given me experiences, friendships, and lessons that will stay with me forever.

To anyone considering studying abroad, I’d say it’s not an easy path, but it’s one that’s worth taking. There will be struggles, but those struggles will make the journey even more rewarding.

For me, staying through the tough times has made the good times all the more meaningful. Norwich will always be my second home, a place where I found my strength and built my future.

Dhruv Gandhi is a BSc Business Finance and Economics student with a placement year at the University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK.