by Hammad Alam

“Hello, everyone! This is Hammad Alam. Today, I’m excited to share my personal journey of pursuing higher education at the University of the West of Scotland. It’s a tale of dreams, challenges, and ultimately, triumphs. journey. Without further ado, let’s dive into my ‘Journey to UWS.'”

During my undergraduate studies, I always dreamed of pursuing higher education in Canada, as I had a strong liking for the country. However, fate led me to the UK instead. Coincidentally, my friend Latif Ullah had similar aspirations of studying in the UK. In our final year, we were required to conduct a research project related to Journalism. Latif and I ended up in the same research group, along with two other classmates.

Latif frequently discussed his plan of studying in the UK while we collaborated on our research. He encouraged me to consider joining him, emphasizing the advantages of studying there over Canada due to his connections and shared background. His excitement and persuasive arguments influenced my decision to pursue higher education in the UK.

I come from a middle-class background, and expressing my desires was always daunting for me. However, I found courage in the unwavering support of my father. I shared my aspiration of studying in the UK with my family, and to my surprise, they wholeheartedly agreed. Particularly, my father showed exceptional support, making the decision much easier for me.

Upon deciding to study in the UK, my initial step was to complete the research project and obtain my degree. During research process, we consulted a knowledgeable advisor in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Following his advice, we diligently searched for universities offering the courses of our interest. After thorough research, we narrowed down our options to three universities: Stirling University, Glasgow Caledonian University, and University of the West of Scotland.

In May 2022, we applied to three universities, taking a significant step toward our dreams. I received offer letters from Stirling University and UWS a few weeks later, but the university hadn’t issued our degrees on time, causing the offers to expire and we didn’t made it in September intake.

 I was very upset about this setback. However, my friend Latif called and reassured me, advising me to stay calm. He encouraged me to reapply for the January intake, promising that we would succeed this time. This experience taught us an important lesson: always be well-prepared and manage every step carefully. It highlighted the significance of thorough preparation and avoiding assumptions, ensuring that everything is in order to achieve success.

In preparation for the January intake, my family and I took proactive measures. On August 20th, 2022, my father deposited 5 Million Pakistani rupees into my personal bank account to demonstrate the necessary financial support required for my studies. Following extensive consultations with professionals and family members, I made the decision to apply to the University of the West of Scotland (UWS). On September 1st, I promptly submitted my application. Within a week, I received an offer letter from UWS, outlining the conditions for my enrollment. These requirements included providing my educational documents, bank statements, and depositing an initial fee of 6500 pounds, which constituted half of the total tuition. I was diligently working towards fulfilling those conditions to secure my admission for the January intake.

I paid my initial fees at a bank in Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Three days later, I received a notification confirming the successful transfer of my fees to the university. Now, I can proceed with the next steps in the process.

On September 25th, I met all the necessary requirements for receiving an unconditional offer letter from the university. I promptly contacted the university via email to inquire about the status of my application. They informed me that my documents were in the verification phase and asked for my patience. After waiting for a week, I received my unconditional offer letter on October 4th, confirming the fulfillment of all conditions. However, I was notified about a credibility interview that I needed to attend. I reached out to the university to schedule the interview, and after some delay due to the high volume of applications, I was given a date for the interview on November 1st, 2022.

On November 1st, at 2:30 pm (Pakistani time), I participated in an online interview via Zoom. The interview lasted for about 30 minutes, during which they asked me questions related to my previous studies, my current course at UWS, my financial documents, the locations of the campus and my residence, and my future ambitions. I felt well-prepared and satisfied with my responses. The interview went smoothly, and I am hopeful about the outcome.

On the night of November 9th, I received an email bearing excellent news: I had successfully passed my credibility interview and was granted my ‘Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies’ (CAS Letter). I recall the moment vividly; it was a chilly, quiet November evening, and I sat in my room, anxiously awaiting the outcome. The email brought immense relief and joy, marking a significant step forward in my academic journey. This positive development has filled me with confidence and excitement for the future, and I was now eagerly preparing for the next chapter of my education.

After receiving my CAS letter, I reached out to my friend, Latif, to inquire about his application status. He shared that he was anxiously awaiting his CAS letter and felt nervous about his credibility interview. I encouraged him to remain patient and hopeful. Two days later, Latif called me with joy in his voice, informing me that he had also received his CAS letter. His happiness was evident, and we celebrated his achievement together. This experience highlights the importance of perseverance and support during the application process, and I am glad that Latif’s hard work paid off.

After receiving our CAS letter, the next crucial steps are securing health insurance and applying for the study visa. To ensure a smooth process, we must promptly arrange for comprehensive health coverage that meets the requirements of our study destination. Simultaneously, initiating the study visa application is essential. Adhering to the visa guidelines meticulously and submitting all necessary documents accurately is imperative. By approaching these tasks with efficiency and attention to detail, we can streamline the administrative process and pave the way for a successful and hassle-free transition to our study abroad journey.

On November 21, 2022, I submitted my student visa application and patiently waited a response from the UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) department. Recognizing the high volume of applications, I was prepared for a wait. However, after two weeks passed without any communication from UKVI, I started to feel uneasy. Seeking reassurance, I reached out to my friend Latif, who was also in the same situation. I vividly recall his calming words as he encouraged me to stay positive, reminding me that challenges are a natural part of life. He advised me to adapt to the situation, emphasizing that resilience in the face of obstacles is essential. His wisdom gave me a sense of perspective, helping me maintain composure during the waiting period.

On the evening of November 10th, while riding with a friend, I received an email notification confirming the approval of my student visa application by UKVI. I asked my friend to stop briefly, and upon checking the email, I learned about the successful application. Excited by the news, my friend informed our other friends, and they eagerly asked for a treat. I agreed to treat them but requested to be taken home first. I wanted to share this significant achievement with my family, especially my parents, before celebrating with friends.

Upon arriving home, I excitedly shared the wonderful news with my family, who were all overjoyed by the announcement. To celebrate, I took my friend out to a restaurant, treating them to a special meal.

Two days later, Latif called me with the exciting news that his student visa application had been approved. I was overjoyed to hear this, as it meant both of us were just one step away from becoming international students at UWS.

We couldn’t find a direct flight from Pakistan to Scotland, so we opted for a different route. We booked tickets from Peshawar to Dubai and then from Dubai to Manchester for November 23rd. Upon arriving in Manchester the next day, we secured train tickets to Glasgow City and smoothly reached our residences in Hamilton.

After a day of rest, we resumed our quest for part-time employment as our classes were scheduled to start in a few days. Despite our best efforts, we faced challenges in finding suitable positions. Many places we visited required full-time employees with prior experience, making it difficult for us to secure part-time roles. Latif’s earlier words were echoed in my mind, reminding me that life is not always easy. However, we remained determined and focused on our goal, determined to overcome these hurdles professionally and persistently.

 A few days later, we got our part-time jobs. On January 23, 2023, we stepped into our university, a place we had always dreamed of being. It marked the start of our classes, and the excitement was palpable. This day held special significance as it represented the realization of our aspirations. The journey ahead seemed promising, filled with opportunities and learning. We were ready to embrace the challenges and make the most of our time at university.

Initially, we faced challenges in understanding lectures due to language and accent barriers. However, as time passed, we adapted and overcame these obstacles. We successfully passed our first term exams and are now progressing into our second term, which concludes in the last week of December. We hope for your support and prayers as we aim for success in our journey at UWS. Your encouragement means a lot to us, and we are determined to make the most out of this opportunity. Thank you for your ongoing support.

LOVE UWS