Anecdote #44

Day 1 in Cambridge

I was in London for two days before my programme began in Cambridge. It was not until my father dropped me that it hit me. I was going to be living alone for the next two weeks in a foreign country without Mama or Papa.

I had gone to Cambridge for a summer programme to get an idea about education abroad. The entire affair affirmed my belief that unless and until you don’t experience it first hand, you can never truly know how it feels like to study abroad. I was going to study history, the same subject I am currently pursuing in India. 

Let’s go back to the beginning of that day, Sunday the 7th of July 2019. We reached the City of Cambridge at 2:20. First we went to Cripps Court which served as a hostel, mess, a place where the classes were held and where the office was. After registering successfully it was time for me to receive my accommodation. Surprisingly, it was a five minute walk from Cripps Court. It was off campus. As a girl who had never lived outside her home, who never went for school trips, I was scared. I could not show it to my father hence I kept a straight face. It was a rare occasion where I did not blurt out the first thought that came to my mind to him. I am like that with my parents, being an only child I am extremely close to them.  

My father dropped me to my accommodation which was in a vibrant lane close to the heart of the city. I was on the top floor of my building, virtually living in an attic. There was a Chinese restaurant on the ground floor and I could hear all the noises from the street.

By this time I was surpressing the fear and anxiety.

The most vivid memory I have from that day is Papa returning from Cripps Court after he tried his level best to change my accommodation. I knew I could not be disheartened in front of him, especially when he had to be leaving. The words I wanted to say were Papa please take me back home but he funded everything, every bit of the trip. It would be unfair on my part to act so selfish. I hugged him and the tears rolled down helplessly. To make up for this cowardice I lied to him, I told him I would manage on my own though in my heart I did not know how I would do that. The next part was the hardest face timing Mama with a straight face. Thankfully I managed to do that by keeping it short. Every time I reassured her by saying that I would be fine I was actually bolstering my own confidence. It felt strange to keep something from her, it was as though I was talking to a relative not my mom.

What came next kept me distracted for sometime. My friend from India had sent a package for his brother who is currently studying in the UK. He had previously studied in Cambridge and he was kind enough to give me and the girl living in the next room a tour of the central part of Cambridge. He went over all the good places to eat, the drugstore, grocery store and a few of the famous colleges. I mentally thanked God. It was a much needed tour after all I was living all alone I had to take care of myself. 

All the walking around, jet lag and non home food I had consumed left me feeling sick that evening. It was a tricky situation because I had to ask Mama what medicine I should take without letting her know how uncomfortable I was. She told me take an antacid but I was feeling so unwell that I had to take two antacids and even then I was uncomfortable the whole night.

The only source of strength for me was my prayer and my God. I could not sleep the whole night and continued to pray the entire time. My condition could easily worsen but God gave me the strength to recover and keep myself composed.

Thankfully the toughest day was over.