Hello again! 🙂 Last week I stopped at the part of bidding my farewells in the airport as the post is getting too long, today I would like to continue to on my experiences of travelling from Malaysia to the UK.

So after saying goodbye to everyone, I realized I was actually running late for boarding and started running inside the huge airport trying to get to the right terminal as soon as possible. Thank God I managed to make it in time if not I won’t be able to be here right now. 😛 After boarding the plane and settled down, I started to browse through some photos and letters wrote by my friends and I get really emotional that time. Tears were streaming down my face as I finally realize I’m really leaving everyone for a whole long year this time and I started missing them alot. I felt so embarassed crying on the plane so I try to cheer myself up by watching movies and then sleeping and eating the rest of the journey. 😛

Anyways, after a long 13.5 hours flight, I finally reached the UK! I was so excited since the minute I stepped down the plane and everything just feels so good here. I actually reached quite early (5.30am) and started wandering around the extremely huge Heathrow Airport before decided I’ll get lost wandering here and ended up buying a cup of latte and sat down in Costa (a very famous coffee chain in UK, something like Starbucks) while waiting for the Meet & Greet team to arrive. Time passes so fast as I was busy replying texts and messages pouring in from friends and family the minute I on my mobile phone 😛 After sitting for about 2 hours, I finally saw a guy in a University of Surrey hoodie holding a Surrey card and I immediately recognize that was the Meet and Greet team! I approached him and he immediately welcomed me with a huge warm smile. 🙂 I was then transported back to the university campus with another few new students.

Once I saw the university campus, I immediately fall in love with it and was really glad and excited that I could spend a whole year here! I collected my keys and get into a mini bus provided by the campus with my big luggages to be transported to Cathedral Court, which is the place I will call home for the next whole year! The mini bus driver, a very kind British uncle helped me to carry all my luggages up to the top floor and I really appreciate that alot. Can’t imagine how can I carry all those huge and heavy luggages all by myself. This gives me a really good impression of Surrey again where people here is really nice and friendly! I started to unpack and decorate my room. Honestly, I really love the size of my room and layout of my room, which is a Band C room. The location of the accomodation is also very convenient as it is located in central campus and is relatively near to most of the teaching buildings and library.

 

After settling down, I attended the International Orientation Programme organized by the university (yes, you didnt see wrongly, we actually have an additional week of International Orientation programme for international students apart from the normal Orientation week!). This is actually a very good chance for international students to get to know each other and also getting us familiarize with the campus, town and also life in the UK! There are talks and a welcome dinner introducing us to culture and life in the UK, and also few options to choose from the programme such as tour around Guildford town, bus coach around Surrey, day trip to nearby attractions and etc (the most important thing is everything is freeeeeeee! all cost of travelling and entrance tickets and afternoon teas are covered by the University. I love Surrey! :P). I joined the day trips to Losely Park and Dapdune Wharf, whereby both are nearby attractions. I had a wonderful time exploring the beautiful places, especially Losely Park which is a really nice old building that has a long history and was once the accomodation for Queen Elizabeth I everytime she visits Guildford! Besides, the Dapdune Wharf is also worth visiting as we get to learn more on the history of one of the first river transportation in the UK and also a boat trip down the River Wey!

 

 

 

 

Besides the International Orientation week, I also joined in the Orientation week, attended a few talks and familiarize with the support and services offered by the University and signed up for a few societies and clubs during the Freshers Fayre (which is the largest thing on campus for freshers! More than 100 societies and clubs actually recruits members on this day so no freshers should miss it! 🙂

So basically this is my journey for the first 3 weeks in UK! It is now my 3rd month here and I’ve never regret coming here 🙂 It is the Christmas season now and everywhere is just filled with joy and Christmas decos. I’m looking forward to further share my experience of celebrating Christmas here with all of you soon!

Just in case I won’t meet you all till after Christmas, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Love,

Adeline 🙂

p/s: if you all want to know more of my life in Surrey, do follow me on Instagram @ ad3line_koo. 🙂