As a Peruvian, coming to the UK to study a Masters degree was both an exciting and difficult decision to make. Aside from the language and cultural differences, there are many things that, in some way, make Birmingham remind me of home, and others that constantly remind me that I’m far from it.
Before coming here, I lived in Lima, the capital of Peru, which is a big city with a lot of things to do all the time, so for me, the shift to now live in Birmingham wasn’t hard at all. Although Birmingham isn’t as big as Lima, I love that it’s a city with lots of activities going on all the time. Every week, there are various cultural events, concerts, and plays, as well as numerous restaurants and pubs to explore. Birmingham is truly a vibrant city, and I’m having the time of my life getting to discover everything it has to offer!
Another thing I love about Birmingham is its excellent connection to the rest of the country, especially when compared to Lima. It’s incredible how easy it is to book a train and take a day trip to places like Oxford and London. In Peru, because of the long distances and lack of train networks outside the capital, travelling to cities outside Lima is much harder. Buses take too long, and while flying is faster, it’s often expensive and not accessible to everyone. Here in the UK, if you are under 30, you can get a railcard for discounted train fares, which make exploring other cities both affordable and convenient.
When it came to the weather, everyone kept warning me about how crazy different British weather would be compared to Peru, so I was kind of bracing myself for the worst. But to be honest, when I got here, I was surprised that it’s really not that different from what I was used to back home. It definitely rains more, and it’s a bit colder, but as long as you’ve got a good jacket and gloves, it’s perfectly manageable. Also, weirdly enough, I’ve grown to love the gloomy winter days here, as it reminds me of home. Lima is commonly known as “Lima la gris” (Grey city), so whenever I see a gray sky, it immediately transports me back to Lima and its winter days.
The one thing that I was not ready for, and I’m still getting used to, is how much the amount of sunlight changes with the seasons. In Peru, it usually gets dark around 6pm, all year round, so I find it curious how here, during winter, it’s already pitch black by 4pm, but during summer, the sun stays out until nearly 9:30pm. It’s little things like this that remind me I’m in a different country, adapting to a new rhythm of life.
Even though I’ve only been here for eight months, I’ve learned so much during that time. Moving abroad isn’t always easy, but it’s the perfect opportunity to discover who you are, make you stronger, and discover that home isn’t just one place. Home can be any place you want, if you are brave enough.