This time last year, I pushed a trolley twice my strength through the airport gates in Kathmandu and wheeled my way into a 24-hour journey to begin my master’s degree. It was the biggest leap of fate I had ever taken and looking back, it all seems so distant even if it was only a year ago.

From learning how to cross the streets in Belfast with Sneha didi on my first day here to now submitting my final paper, moving out and living by myself, I can not count the number of times I have wished I could share my highs and lows in real time with my people. I think that has been the most striking learning of this year - all my experiences are my own but I am not alone in feeling it - the sense of community is what keeps us human, which is why I share these notes too.

I remember seeing my hometown from high above the sky and saying goodbye for one last time. Two hours in, I broke down in front of yogurt cup because I missed my mum. After this, I cried while brushing my teeth before Uni one day. Then one morning I dreamt of my dogs and wept like I would not get another chance to. In the middle of these well spaced out breakdowns, I met people from all around the world. I told them my name, my story, I spoke of my hometown like a lover and missed my mother tongue like no other. I got to share and experience food from places I have never been to. I found wonderful people to work with. I had to learn to brace the wind (literally) and take on everything as I came here by myself. So many nights, I crawled into bed in dread thinking how if anything were to happen to me, how would anyone find out?

I touched the sea and the snow for the first time ever and it felt like I was home. I went on trips, navigated new cities and explored them in earnest. I went for a trip to London to surprise Guu. I went to see Sajjan Raj Vaidya play in London with Aaryaa and her friends. I saved up for a phone I have always wanted, purchased it for my birthday. This year too, I had a small breakdown at turning a new leaf. I felt more grown-up than I have ever had whenever people asked my about my experiences. I was told I have done so much - at the cost of my adolescence, I did what I had to in order to get where I am.

Last year this time, I left home and a part of me will always be there, I know it. And now a year later, I am on the floor of a house I have started to call home, packing my travel case and work bag for a little trip that I have rightfully earned after the year that was.