Full Circle

Its almost been a year since I came to the UK for the Masters degree. In some ways, its like time has gone by in a flash of a second, and in some ways, life has taken a 360 degree turn. Nothing has changed, and at the same time, everything has.
I came to the UK for a degree, a change in scene, international experience and exposure. I ended up that and so much more. I realised that, uptil now, my life had been in a state of stagnation, and I had become complacent in a bubble or comfort zone. While I had been happy, I wasn't growing as much as I'd hoped. Coming here was just the wake-up call I needed.
I was forced, by necessity, to grow up, to take charge of my life, and to start taking serious decisions. Even something as simple as cooking meals for myself gave me a sense of responsibility, and also gave me the confidence that in any situation, in any place, I can survive on my own. That, I think, is true independence. Living with complete strangers was another amazing adventure, I wouldn't miss for the world. Getting to know each other, adjusting to each others' eccentricities, and finally becoming a close family was a journey I'll always cherish.
Meeting people from different countries helped me learn that, while, in many ways, we are very different, we also have a lot of similarities. We have the same fears, the same hopes for the future, and that somehow, was very comforting to hear. Learning from everyone, about their cultures, their way of doing things, and their perspective of looking at things, somehow erased so many mental boundaries, and gave me a truly global outlook.
Traveling alone was both a delight and a huge learning experience. There were so many small and big adventures along the way, from a not-so-good hostel, arguing about what to see, walking miles to be economical, to finally seeing places I'd only dreamed of before (Oxford University, the Louvre, Diagon Alley, to name a few). I know that, in the years to come, I have hundreds of moments to look back on and remember and smile.
But, most of all, I got the confidence to get out of my shell, try new things I never have before, and the courage to express my opinions and stand by them. I learnt that, as long as I make myself happy and I grow in my way, others' opinions really do not matter.
Life is still really uncertain, but I think I've found the strength to really enjoy whatever it brings.
As Emma Watson once said "I'm very interested in truth, in finding ways to be messy and unsure and flawed and incredible and great and my fullest self, all wrapped in one".