Moving abroad for university is equal parts exhilarating and terrifying. In this interview, Guari, a postgraduate student from New Delhi at the University of Warwick, shares how she transformed from a nervous newcomer to someone who found genuine community—through student societies, spontaneous connections, and the courage to say "yes."
The University of Warwick Student Experience
The First Days: Excitement Meets Reality
"When I first landed in the UK, everything felt surreal. A mix of excitement, nervousness, and a little bit of “Oh God, what have I done?” washed over me as I dragged my suitcase through the airport. Studying abroad had been my dream, but in that moment, all I could think about was how far I was from home."
Societies: The Unexpected Lifeline
"If you’re an international student, let me tell you—university societies are your lifeline. For me, Warwick’s Indian Society became my home away from home. The first time I attended an event, I felt an instant sense of familiarity—the laughter, the shared jokes, the mutual love for Bollywood music. It was comforting to be around people who just got it—the inside jokes about desi parents, the obsession with chai, the endless banter about which city had the best street food (Delhi vs. Mumbai is an eternal debate)."
Friendships Forged in (Academic) Fire
"Friendships in university don’t always start in lecture halls. Sometimes, they start over shared suffering. Like when I was drowning in an assignment, exchanged a panicked look with the person next to me, and we both realized we had no clue what was going on."
The Magic of Unplanned Moments
"Some of my best memories were never planned and I learned that real connections happen in these raw, unscripted moments.
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A simple Let’s grab dinner spiraling into hours of deep conversations about life and embarrassing childhood stories.
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A rainy night ending in off-key karaoke in a tiny student kitchen, laughing until our sides hurt."
The Courage to Say "Yes"
"So, I started saying yes more. Yes to grabbing coffee with someone I barely knew. Yes to late-night walks after a long study session. Yes to staying back after an event just to chat with people. And little by little, those “yes” moments stitched together a community around me."
When Support Systems Go Beyond Friends
"University isn’t just about making friends—it’s about knowing where to turn when things get hard. For me, that meant:
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Professors and advisors for academic overwhelm
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Career services for post-grad anxieties
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Well-being support for the tougher days
Asking for help wasn’t weakness; it was how I kept moving forward."
Final Advice: Lean Into the Awkward
"The first few conversations might feel awkward, but keep going. Friendships grow in small moments—don’t underestimate them. Say yes to experiences, even when they’re out of your comfort zone. Today, I look around, and the same place that once felt unfamiliar now feels like home. The same campus that once felt too big now feels like a place where I belong."
Study at Warwick
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I sincerely thank SI-UK for getting me accepted to UCL. The MSc in Urban Development and Planning is extremely competitive, but the right guidance provided by SI-UK made my dream of studying at University College London a reality. The services were exceptional from beginning to end. 
