Arriving in England
As the plane started to prepare for landing, I put away my book and leaned back with closed eyes. I felt this buzz in all of my body, probably the nerves finally setting in.
I literally sat in the last row of the plane and it took ages to get out but for once I wasn’t stressing because I had plenty of time. Getting through customs was easy because I had an e-Passport and by the time I had walked all the way to Baggage reclaim, the bags were rolling around on the tape. I managed to get mine quite quickly and thus didn’t have time to panic about whether or not my bag had made it. Now, in retrospect I’m very happy that I didn’t have any problems with this.
Now awaited my next challenge, I arrived in Terminal 2 and needed to reach the Terminal 3 Arrival’s Hall. I’m not kidding when I say that I asked three different people how to get there. Everybody was friendly but only the last lady managed to give me concrete enough directions that I could follow. But that might also be because I need very specific directions or I’ll get lost.
It was a bit of a walk but there were plenty of rolling floors to speed it along. I arrived at the right place but couldn’t spot anyone from my host university. Thankfully, Heathrow had put out general students advisors who helped me find the right place and right people. That was such a lovely service.
Unfortunately, I arrived just as they got back from seeing one bus off and things were in a bit of a chaos. I was told come back at 3 PM and just to have a walk around, get a coffee (obviously they couldn't know that I don't drink coffee) and look at stuff. I did so and ended up buying a very nice and cheap Meal Deal from boots, including an Innocent smoothie, a chicken bacon sandwich and a Twix.
I sat down and drank my drink and ate my food and read a bit in my book. About 2.30 PM I went up to the host university welcome team and introduced myself properly. These three people seemed very nice and chatty and didn’t necessarily “send” me away, which I appreciated. However, when new people arrived I made myself sparse and went back to my seat from before. Not far away from me are people chatting and I think they’re going to the same university as I but I would feel rude if I sat down besides them. I literally can’t make myself go sit there. :(
The buzz from earlier is still in my body and I don’t know when I’ll fully realise and accept that this isn’t some dream state and this is real life. I’m afraid that I won’t be able to interact with people but I must force myself.
When the clock strikes 3 PM, I’ll go up to be registered and try chatting to someone other than the welcome committee.
I literally sat in the last row of the plane and it took ages to get out but for once I wasn’t stressing because I had plenty of time. Getting through customs was easy because I had an e-Passport and by the time I had walked all the way to Baggage reclaim, the bags were rolling around on the tape. I managed to get mine quite quickly and thus didn’t have time to panic about whether or not my bag had made it. Now, in retrospect I’m very happy that I didn’t have any problems with this.
Now awaited my next challenge, I arrived in Terminal 2 and needed to reach the Terminal 3 Arrival’s Hall. I’m not kidding when I say that I asked three different people how to get there. Everybody was friendly but only the last lady managed to give me concrete enough directions that I could follow. But that might also be because I need very specific directions or I’ll get lost.
It was a bit of a walk but there were plenty of rolling floors to speed it along. I arrived at the right place but couldn’t spot anyone from my host university. Thankfully, Heathrow had put out general students advisors who helped me find the right place and right people. That was such a lovely service.
Unfortunately, I arrived just as they got back from seeing one bus off and things were in a bit of a chaos. I was told come back at 3 PM and just to have a walk around, get a coffee (obviously they couldn't know that I don't drink coffee) and look at stuff. I did so and ended up buying a very nice and cheap Meal Deal from boots, including an Innocent smoothie, a chicken bacon sandwich and a Twix.
I sat down and drank my drink and ate my food and read a bit in my book. About 2.30 PM I went up to the host university welcome team and introduced myself properly. These three people seemed very nice and chatty and didn’t necessarily “send” me away, which I appreciated. However, when new people arrived I made myself sparse and went back to my seat from before. Not far away from me are people chatting and I think they’re going to the same university as I but I would feel rude if I sat down besides them. I literally can’t make myself go sit there. :(
The buzz from earlier is still in my body and I don’t know when I’ll fully realise and accept that this isn’t some dream state and this is real life. I’m afraid that I won’t be able to interact with people but I must force myself.
When the clock strikes 3 PM, I’ll go up to be registered and try chatting to someone other than the welcome committee.
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