Hello readers, I’m Bhumika Koli, an MSc Strategic Marketing graduate from Mumbai, India. If my life were a movie, the opening scene would be set in the frantic, chaotic streets of Mumbai, with a protagonist who had her whole script written out; two years of work experience, then a Master’s abroad. The UK was never part of the original script. It was the result of a late-night research spiral in which I realised what I actually wanted for my future, and somehow that path led me to the University of Surrey. Reflecting on this after one year of my time here, I can safely say this was the best decision I’ve ever made in my life.

The first thing that hit me when I arrived wasn’t the cold; it was the silence. Moving from the absolute, beautiful chaos of Mumbai to the eerie quiet of Guildford felt like a literal jump scare. In Mumbai, if you don’t hear a rickshaw honking or a pressure cooker whistling, you assume something is wrong. Here, the quiet was so heavy it felt uncomfortable at first. I remember wondering ‘where are the people…?’ But a year into this journey, I’ve realised I actually crave it. There’s a certain peace in the Surrey air that just lets you pause and think, and now it feels like home. 

Let’s talk about the cultural learning curve. I spent my first few weeks in a state of constant confusion thanks to the “You alright?” loop. The first time someone asked me that, I genuinely panicked. I checked my hair in the nearest window and replied, “Yes… why? Do I not look alright?” I thought they were concerned for my soul, but it turns out it’s just a simple greeting. Now, I’m the one doing it effortlessly, followed by small talks about tea or the ever-changing, lovely weather. 

Speaking of weather, I’ve reached the point where I don’t even ask questions when I get sunburnt on a Tuesday and drenched in rain on a Wednesday in the middle of May. You just learn to pack an umbrella and SPF in the same bag and keep moving. That resilience extends to the kitchen, too. I’m a total coffee girlie, yet here I am at 4 am, randomly craving a vada pav with cutting chai. Finding shops like Sadia and Walnut was a total godsend, discovering I could get my favourite snacks and even pani puri here made my desi heart feel so much more at home.

The best part of this story, though, isn’t the places; it’s the people. They tell you you’ll make friends, but they don’t tell you that your closest family will start as a random assignment group. We were just a bunch of girls put together for a project, but we stuck together through every single deadline since. We’ve grown together, grown out of other friendships, and survived the quiet challenges of moving to a new country. I remember when I first got here, I’d multiply every single Pound by 100 and nearly cry over the price of a coffee. That only stopped when I landed my first part-time role. Earning in Pounds changed the game; now I catch myself thinking that when I go back home, I’m only taking the AC locals because, hey, it’s only a pound!

Being a student content creator here has been the perfect way to use my marketing background while getting that ‘UK work experience’ for my CV. I’ve met so many talented people and learned more from them than I ever could have from a textbook alone. So, if you’re sitting there in India, overthinking your packing list (pro-tip: leave the 20 packets of Maggi at home, we have it here!), my advice is simple: just do it. Don’t overthink the move. Be bold, be a little chaotic, be exactly who you are, and make the first move. Surrey hasn’t just been a degree for me; it’s been a total personality shift. And more often than not, you’ll find me by the lake, enjoying the quiet I once found so unfamiliar.

Cheers,
Bhumika