One of the biggest decisions of my life - leaving India to go to UK for a span! Starting Masters in Advanced Computer Science at University of Birmingham

It was after I had to leave FOSS United that my life went into a sudden unplanned state. Though I definitely had a few things figured out, there was really a question as to what I’d do next. Doing a masters? It was supposed to happen at some point, or maybe not. I had long come out from the usual circle of higher studies a while after graduation. I wanted to work, learn as much as possible doing stuff, and explore from around.

A spur-of-the-moment decision

My parents have migrated to the UK quite a while ago - both being medical professionals. Since childhood, I haven’t had the chance of staying a bit carefree with both my parents.

It was first my father who was away in the UK, and then when he came back to settle in India, I had gotten into high school study mode, then college, and I moved out of home for work, and further. It was mid-December 2024 when I realized that time is flying by - and I haven’t had some time with both of them before settling in.

The decision to study for a masters started out on a split basis - when I wanted to stay in the UK for a while. Well, doing a masters alongside was a really good way to serve the purpose of taking a break and relearning a lot of things as well.

Getting to UoB

I started applying to universities with assistance from Leap Scholar by early January - as soon as I decided to go to the UK.

That’s also when I decided to shift to Kochi from Bangalore for work, to get things done better for in-office days. I was working as a product engineer at Chibi, where things were picking up quite well. I was exploring myself as an engineer, getting my hands dirty. I am happy to have developed Angloverse alongside for IELTS practice and mock tests with an automated feedback system. Chibi was launched yesterday and I am really excited to see how it goes!

Imperial College London was my dream institute - I’ve wanted to be there for a while since I came to know about it years back. I had further applied to Birmingham, which had a nice Computer Science programme, Liverpool, Cranfield, and Edinburgh. For starters, I didn’t want to do a specialization - my focus was to get more of the generic things grounded. The budget was another consideration - I wanted to study at a Russell Group university but at the same time keep in mind scholarships and financial aid.

UoB was the first to reach back with a conditional offer and I was waiting for some time to see if I would get accepted at Imperial, while receiving offers from the other unis, with a scholarship of £7,000. By February, I accepted the offer from UoB and was getting the resources for the move - funds, plans, paperwork, and all the overheads :) Meanwhile, work was going well at Chibi and I was enjoying my time at Kochi - with fun and friends who were with me throughout!

But still - things have a way of getting intense - by late March, I heard back from Imperial for an interview, and after that they provided me with an offer. And sadly, with extreme emotional debt, I had to let go of it, as plans were already made for UoB 😟

From UoB Connect at Bengaluru

Going forward…

Am I going to terribly miss it here? Absolutely yes… I had some of the most amazing times in Kochi with work, great friends, and much more. Making good friends - that’s what I had the most trouble with growing up, fitting in and having folks to count on. But the blessing came when I met some of the amazing people in my life. It’s definitely not welcoming to leave my life here, my grandparents, brother, and my family here!

Advaith, my elder brother figure and mentor - who somehow has the power to magically calm and ground me when I call him up tense and anxious; Andrew and Kiran - my friends and founders at Chibi, with whom I had absolute fun working and hanging out… Then the gang all together with our long yapping sessions, dinners, late-night chai and hangouts, and everything. I can’t express how much they all mean to me and how much I am gonna miss them all, even the way I transitioned from Riya to Riyasan/Riyachan…

Blogging this down at the Kochi Airport, I am filled with a whole lot of mixed emotions - one part just wanting to run back to the life I had here, and the other filled with anxiety, excitement, and curiosity about what awaits me there in the UK. I had spent the last 2 weeks with paperwork, logistics of vacating my Kochi apartment, visiting some of the extended family, and even reconnecting with some of my school friends, whom I hope to see in person when I come back. Rosh bro was gracious enough to see me off today, along with a few of my friends.

I want to take this time as a means to rediscover myself, dive more into engineering, hack and tinker - maybe also take time to unlock my long list of procrastinated things as well :) The most ardent wish is to move back to India after 2 years and rebuild my life back here (which is somehow ingrained here deep), and to come back as a better and stronger person.

So leaving with a whole load of love, memories, and a package of anxiety, excitement for back to uni days, and what’s in store for me - Until next time :)