It's been more than five months now...

It's been more than five months now, I came to England. Thus thought to write to you.

First of all, I'm getting acclimatised to the cold weather of this country. Yes, weather is nice and comfortable for me when it is 4 to 5 degrees and just a little bit cold when it goes to -1 or -2 degrees.. hehe.. I used to shiver in 16-17 degrees back home..

In the beginning of the academic year, I got nominated as the Student Representative of my course for this year. My British classmates nominated me. It was a nice beginning of the academic year.

I celebrated Christmas and the New Year with a British family under the HOST UK scheme of the British Government. I have registered myself for this scheme. This scheme is meant for all international students to make us familiar with the local culture and life style. I stayed with a nice family in Scotland. It was a lifetime experience, I would say. I could observe many things about their living style. And I also shared a lot about our culture.

Then about my studies! My results for the first semester are out. I got 63%, 63% and 67% in three different modules. I'll try to keep this track through out all the next semesters.

And here is something extra than just studies.. We have a Community Radio station called Utopia FM. When I arrived here in September, I felt that there is not enough representation of international community on this radio station. I talked to the Head of Radio and to the Station Manager about it. They asked if I would like to run a position for the next election for its management body. Last week, there was an election for the management body of the radio station. I did run a position of 'Head of International Programming', and, I won!! So, now I will look after the representation of an international community on the radio station, will involve them in making radio programmes and I'm also planning to produce and present regular radio shows based on Indian themes. So that they should no more about India, than just BHANGRA.

I am also working in a major research project of one of my tutors. She is starting the work of a two-year project funded by European Communities this month. It's about migrants in UK and in Europe. She asked me if I can work with her in this project. I have accepted it. I feel it would be a good experience to work with migrant communities in UK and in 8 European countries.

And now on the home front! Amol is getting ready to join me here. It got delayed as my documents reached him after one month.. the Postal Service..hehe.. I get parcels sent by him in 4 days.. and from here to Pune, it's one month. A good news is that he got Band 8 (out of 9..) for IELTS. So things are moving ahead.

I got many friends from different countries all over the world. It's so nice to have such a variety of friends from different cultures. But I also miss all of you and our own homeland!