And just like that, August and September have flown by in a blur. These two months have been nonstop planning, paperwork, and a lot of emotions. Although Aug and Sept were nothing short of hectic, they were also filled with excitement, anticipation, and immense pride as Ashley embarks on a new chapter in her life.
It all began with the long-awaited news in early August when she received her university’s approval for a one-year campus exchange to the UK. Studying abroad has always been one of her biggest dreams, and this inter-exchange program made her wish come true. Her five other course mates are also going together and this has brought a great relief for me. I am comforted in knowing that she wouldn’t be alone in this journey.
The girls dove into preparations right away. From scouring accommodation options, negotiating with the property agent, to booking flights and train tickets, they managed everything with independence and teamwork. They found a place to live together near the university, a shared home away from home that makes their transition to UK life smoother.
As soon as she received the CAS letter (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies), the real stress began with the compilation of documents for her student visa application, getting a Tuberculosis test, and making sure everything was perfectly in order. Thankfully, her visa was approved in just two days, a small miracle during the chaos.
However, this doesn’t mean the process was over. With the new e-visa system, Ashley had to create an account on the UK government’s site. That step came with its own share of stress. The passport scanning feature didn’t work as expected as there was a glitch with the embedded chip in her passport. Her friends experienced the same issue, which offered a bit of a reassurance. During this time, my own anxiety peaked. I don’t like to deal with Government procedures but watching Ashley navigate them with determination made me both proud and nervous at the same time.
Then came the big moment – the departure day. Ashley and her friends flew to London last Wednesday. I have been dreaded for weeks about saying goodbye at the airport. I thought I’d be a mess with tears and emotions. Surprisingly, I was pretty calm. Perhaps it was seeing the joy on Ashley’s face and the sparkle in her eyes. As long as she’s happy, I’m happy.
Her 2 luggage bags. She has 45 kg but only used 40kg. She has another carry on which is her backpack and it was around 7kg.
She flew with 3 other friends. Another girl went over earlier with her family.
Since arriving, Ashley and the girls have been adjusting well. The first few days were spent settling in. They were busy buying essentials, stocking up on groceries, and getting familiar with their surroundings. They even took a campus tour to get oriented. This week is Fresher’s Week and it’s filled with events and activities to welcome new students. Classes begin on the 30th for them.
Although I miss her dearly, I am comforted knowing she’s having the time of her life, surrounded by friends, and building memories that will stay with her forever. Watching her grow into this new phase of independence has been a beautiful and emotional, experience.
While August and September have been full, chaotic, and I feel overwhelming at times, but they’ve also marked the beginning of an unforgettable journey.
She had wine on board and was tipsy after that
Her first meal on board
Her first purchase at Heathrow – £8 meal that consisted of a wrap, Spooners cookie dough and a bottle of juice.
They had to go to St. Pancras Intl to board another train to their uni. This was taken at St. Pancras station.
In the coming days, I would be sharing her life in UK and posting photos that she had taken as a way for me to document her new experience.
