I made it. I really made it. This program and adventure came to mind about a year ago now. A seed that was planted and has grown into a bud that is ready to bloom. So corny. But so true.
Leaving home, family and friends behind was one of the hardest things I will ever have to do. The airport was just a total mess. I left a few puddles behind but managed to get on the plane nonetheless. What an excitement it was to hear their British accents the minute you get on the plane! The flight was terrible -- a leaner in the front, a kicker in the back and an elbow-hog on the side. It also didn't help that it was an overnight flight.
When I arrived at the airport it was 8 a.m. The UK Border lineup was extremely long and it took 1.5 hours to get through. As luck would have it, the border agent only looked at two documents and sent me on my way. So much for the other 18 printed documents I struggled to put together.
From the minute I got my bags, I decided to go with my gut... And the advice that everyone gave me. I did not take the black cab which proved to be a very good idea. The cab driver was lovely and gave me a few cliff notes along the way. Arriving to the ESCP Europe Campus in Hampstead was the culmination of all my hard work, but it was not as glamorous as I had hoped. For half a block, I carried my two "VERY HEAVY" suitcases which could barely stay on their wheels, a travel backpack filled with shoes on my back and a carry on backpack on my front. Honestly, I barely made it to the front step. But from the minute I entered the building everyone was amazingly kind. I paid for my rent and got my keys, and to my surprise, my suitcases were all brought up to my room for me.
My room is amazingly large! It is difficult to see in the photos but very high ceilings and a lot of floor space for all my floor space activities. Did I mention I have my OWN bathroom? I really think that is the best thing about my room! We have a lovely shared kitchen where I can lock all my goodies if I want.
I laid down on my bed the minute I got into my room. All I wanted to do was sleep but I mustered up the courage to keep going. As I walked out of my residence and got a good look at my school for the first time, I was overcome with a huge sense of accomplishment and reality. I made it. I actually made it.
I went to a nearby shopping mall for some basics (bedding, towels etc.) and set myself up with a phone number and SIM card here. Now I can still BBM, e-mail, text, Facebook, tweet, so no major disruptions in my life, virtually speaking.
The minute I got back to my room I just kept unpacking. No matter how tired I was, I just kept at it so that I would not go to bed in order to try to set my internal clock accordingly. It was 7 p.m. when my first day in London finally ended.
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