A Northumbrian is any average person living in the Tyne and Wear county of North East England, and Scotland Border, speaking Geordie accent of English. Wey aye man! Wey aye Hinnie were the most common that I used to hear around, and Ta for thanks was luggage.
I graduated from the University of Northumbria, Newcastle upon Tyne. It ranks well among most modern universities in UK. I didn't know how well could I have done here, but one thing for sure that I knew was - I was going to be polished from within. I landed in the UK, at the home of my senior and the first thing he inquired from me, was which course did I pick? I mentioned - Computer Networks. "Ayipoyaav ra! Nuvvu top cheyyalev" was his reaction. My knees kinda shivered. I got nervous and inquired from others, as to why he opined so - And was told that about 12 very good students from India, couldn't make it through the course. I was asked to be really careful and not be too focused on earning money via part time work. I was very inclined towards studying but, earning was equally important. I always hated to depend on my dad for my education, although he has always been content to shell out the coins. I had sponsored for my education myself and hence, had a responsibility to answer to my soul.
THE FERRY
We were taken for a welcome ferry ride on the Tyne river and the ride was super duper fun. You walk around searching for dinners across Quayside, and then the walk up to the Moore land prison, we see a Mongolian restaurant. Finally some food! Thinking so, we four walk in and eat the food having lived years of vegetarian food, I am now reminded of my mother.
DAY 1 AT THE CAMPUS
SEMESTER 1
Leaving aside my English skills, I was always recognized for public speaking & won laurels earlier, for the same. However, this time at Northumbria it was going to be difficult. There were many Central European and Chinese students along with us. All of them were very good at computers, so the stage was set for the clash. Day 1, Semester 1 - Graham Sexton made it very clear that he shall just be an instructor and we have got to be the explorers. I wasn't very convinced with that as most of us Indians were by then used to being spoon fed.
A walk through to the lab, made me feel if I was actually working for a Datacentre. So many of those routers , switches and servers literally made me go mad. And I, was being asked to play with them.
Met a very good friend and made friends - Harry , Simon , & Praneeth. Sorry to say- But these were the toppers in the semester and they were like really the geniuses of the batch. I was elected along with Praneeth, as the student Union Leader & International Student President. I then realized, that my senior was such a loser. A certain loser like many of those who tried de-motivating me, just for a reason that they couldn't achieve what I have achieved and I have continuously gone on to prove them wrong. Earning 50 Sterling Pounds, I was supposed to welcome the Central European, African, Mexican and many other students right from the Airport, To guiding them through the whopping 15 buildings of Northumbria University in City Center Campus alone, registering them at the student cafe.
I was also a lab assistant to Jason James - The most patient person I have ever known. Venkat wasn't as socialite as I was, and was mostly engrossed in Pandon Building's testing rooms. I definitely was interested in the course, but I have always wanted to be KNOWN around the campus and that eventually did happen.
ASSIGNMENTS
So the usual Indian style of combined studies with Bagels and Coffee had happened over night and most of us gathered at the Tamworth Building with a whole bulk of stationery. Washrooms used to fill up every 5 minutes back home at Dilston Road, and if anyone were to lend their ear to the door of the washroom, would hear the LOUD CRIES of every occupant of the house. (That included me too). Yes, we cried. We cried with the fear of the assignments. We cried with the fear of losing honor.
EDUCATIONAL VISIT TO PARIS
This came as a surprise as I never knew, there was a educational visit to Paris' National Datacentre. It was a highly secure place, but I was more interested in visiting the Eiffel Tower. Believe my luck, we have had a dine at one of the restaurants there and it was just a dream come true, to have another party night in the French land.
SEMESTER 2 & 3
More than assignments and tests, we had some more issues to sort. Most of us lost our part times, and were living on narrow money. I was living in a 5 bedroom house, with 5 room mates. We preferred privacy. But, this was the first time, we wanted to come out of our privy and share more. WHY? we hadn't eaten for 38 days. Had I called up my father, he would have sent a hundred thousand overnight via SWIFT transfer. But, what do I do about the rest of the 4 living at 140 Dilston Road? That made me more close in bond to these people. We shared milk, we shared bread, we shared WATER. I lived on Snickers, Milk cans and Chips (costed me Pound 1). Walker's Crisps & Soda pops were out of the brains. Our car had no gas to be driven to the nearest ASDA store.
STUDENT LEADERSHIP:
This was the area I learnt the most, when I had the chance to communicate with students from Croatia, Norway, Poland, Belgium and many other countries spanning across Africa and Israel. I was always fantasized by Jews & Persians and the secret behind them being so successful in everything. I was responsible for everything including their accommodation, their tickets to Ferry, their attendance to the first day free Oprah at Morrison's Hall, and many more. I was the tired of the lot.
NORTHUMBRIAN WATER
This was my first employer, and I was travelling to Blyth! Every room mate of mine, used to say - WHAT? You off to Blyth to work part time? I can never forget this employer of mine, as they had shown the kind of love next only to that of a mother! They celebrated my birthdays, they hardly made me miss India. I had a terrible time waiting for the taxi / a bus to board and leave for Blyth and it took a horrible 50 minutes to reach south of the Tyneside. Accidentally, Simon Weir showed up on 21st November 2008 and took me to a small time bar. This was where, I tasted my first weed! And I couldn't stand a minute.... It was horribly strong, and mixed with a Budweiser, it was really a tough thing to take. Finally, Simon took me to his home and let me relax - So my day out at Blyth
THE CARLISLE RACE COURSE - The Jockey club
This was my second employer for part time and was the most horrible work loader. I used to load trucks with wine bottle crates and many other liqueurs. I was accompanied by Jayant Govinda - A fellow Indian lost in the crowd for being an NRI. We worked and worked very hard. I had worked so hard that I became physically very strong. I had become so strong that one angry brawl that I had with someone who misbehaved with my friend's sister, got a mighty blow. I didn't expect to hit him, but that actually got his face warped. He was faced with severe medication and a 5 day hospitalization. That was the day, I had decided not to give up on any kind of physical exercise that could strengthen me.
GE MONEY / SANTANDER BANK
My super employer. What did I do there? It was a call center. I was earning unbelievable money, and no physical work. I was as relaxed as a rabbit. Wonderful Christmas gifts and awesome friends at workplace, I had some of the best days at GE!
LAST SEMESTER
Yes, we had assignments and projects. This was full flood hard-work. We all gave up jobs, and kept working over night at Pandon Building and Ellison place. Walking up to the nearest Mc Donald's/ Burger King to buy a Sausage Roll (or) a chicken Sandwich, or the nearest Fish & Chips shop to pick Tuna, we had sleepless nights only to pull out a thriller finish in the tests.
AND WE GRADUATED :)
I never told any of this to my parents, but Northumbria taught me so much that I couldn't learn in India (or) being away from parents. So distant, that it may become very difficult to return for anything really.
