I remember the first gust of wind when I landed in Belfast. 'Wake up, this is real!’, it seemed to be saying. I was greeted at the airport by a set of welcoming faces and we talked about school, plans and home. Even though I had only just arrived to Belfast and just met them, it felt comforting to be welcomed by the students. They know how I feel - they understand me. This made me feel at ease.

On the cab to my accommodation, I remember the sigh of relief on seeing blue hills out of the window. The cab driver asked me if I have had a long flight and asked me where home is. My flight was too long, home too far away. “I am from Nepal. My trip here was really, really long.”

Two days after this, I remember seeing the signage of the City Airport and feeling angry and sad. 'That’s the stop that brought you so far away from home. That is what brought you so far away, pulled you apart.’ It was a strange train of thoughts, but I needed to lay my blame on something to move past the hurt.

Months down the line, I was on my way back to the same airport. This time as a Global Ambassador for Ulster University - there to welcome some new students and greet them on behalf of the University.

On my cab ride to the airport this time, the cab driver asked me if I was flying somewhere for a quick break. ‘Oh,’ I whispered internally. I told him I was gonna be at the airport till the afternoon to welcome new students coming to Ulster University. Saying this out loud in the cab ride made it all feel surreal to me. It made me realize that I was playing my part and giving back to the University and to the student body. I wish to carry forward this feeling of gratitude and belonging even more in the days to come.