INDIAN STUDENT’S TRAVELOGUE IN UK

By – Advait Gangawanwale

When I first landed in the UK as a student, I never imagined how deeply I would fall in love with this country’s diversity, not only in its people and cultures, but also in its landscapes and stories. Over the past year, I have been fortunate to explore parts of this country that now feel stitched into the fabric of my memory.

My journey began in South Wales in Cardiff, where windy hills meet the sea and the locals greet you like old friends. Cardiff became more than just my accommodation. It became my comfort zone, with its Victorian-style arcades, beautiful yet busy bay, and the charm of Welsh rain tapping against my window. A cheap bus ride would take me to Brecon Beacons, where green hills rolled like waves and reminded me yet again how much I love mountains.

London, in contrast, was peak urbanisation. The rush of the tube, the magic of diverse and delicious food, and the sheer scale of history embedded in its streets and monuments left me yearning for more every time. It’s a city where you can spend hours getting lost in museums or simply watching the world go by on the Thames River bank.

When I visited Bath, I felt like it was just elegance carved in honey-coloured stone. I strolled through its Roman baths, Bath abbey, Georgian crescents, and picturesque world with wide eyes, feeling like I had stepped into a historical novel.

Then I visited Brighton with all its pebbled beaches and bright blue colour. Its energy was infectious and the city felt vibrant right from the indie shops of The Lanes to the Brighton pier full of multinational tourists.

Nothing prepared me for Durdle Door. Nature there felt raw and majestic, the limestone arch rising like a portal between worlds. I remember sitting by the cliff, salt in the air, heart full and wishing that I should never leave this place.

Manchester was the final gem in my itinerary, buzzing with tall buildings, world famous sporting venues, and colder temperatures. Music poured from pubs, murals and street art told stories, and the people reminded me that grit and heart can go hand in hand.

Travelling as a student on a budget wasn’t always easy, but it was always worth it. These places didn’t just show me the UK; they shaped my character.