There's a unique bittersweetness to living between two worlds. Lancaster, where my academic dreams unfold day by day, and home, where the familiar embrace of family grounds my soul. As Pico Iyer once wrote, "Home is not just the place where you happen to be born. It's the place where you become yourself."

Farewell to Term Time

The end of last term was a whirlwind of emotions. I finally completed all my course assignments and said my heartfelt goodbyes to friends who have made university feel like a second home. It's amazing how quickly people become such an important part of your life when you share the university experience.

London Stopover

After packing up, I hopped on a train to London for a brief but wonderful stay with my relatives. The highlight was spending time with my sister - she truly is the best! We wandered around the city, creating memories before I headed home.

The Comfort of Familiar Shores

Nothing compares to that moment of seeing my parents waiting at the airport, their faces lighting up as I emerged through the arrival gates. Those precious weeks at home were filled with family gatherings, late-night conversations with childhood friends, and the irreplaceable taste of home-cooked meals that I had missed so dearly.

Finding My Wings Abroad

The reality of student life abroad extends far beyond academics. Each day is a carefully orchestrated ballet of managing coursework while tackling the endless cycle of cooking, cleaning, and grocery shopping. There's no mother's voice reminding me to eat or clean up – it's all on me now. The emotional stress can sometimes feel overwhelming – homesickness arrives in unexpected waves, deadline pressure builds, and the cultural adjustments never quite end. Yet somehow, amidst it all, I've found my rhythm. Those moments when I successfully prepare a meal that reminds me of home, submit an assignment I'm proud of, and still find time to connect with loved ones across time zones – that's when I realize how much I've grown. Managing everything simultaneously has taught me patience with myself and the importance of small victories. The dissertation looming ahead feels less intimidating now that I've proven to myself, I can handle pretty much anything life throws my way. The person boarding the flight back to the UK was not the same one who left month ago.

Academic Milestones Achieved

Returning to Lancaster meant diving straight into exam preparation. With determination and late nights in the library, I've successfully completed all three module exams! There's an incredible sense of relief knowing that this significant hurdle has been cleared. Now my academic path has narrowed beautifully to two priorities: focusing completely on my dissertation and developing additional academic skills that will serve me beyond graduation.

Summer's Embrace in Lancaster

Returning to campus in summer is like discovering a new Lancaster entirely. The university grounds shine with vibrant colours as flowers bloom across campus, creating a calming atmosphere that serves as the perfect backdrop for dissertation work. Between working on my dissertation and developing extra academic skills, I've found time to join cooking sessions with friends where we exchange travel stories, and I've registered for LUSU's plant printing workshop – creative outlets that balance the academic intensity.

Moving Forward

As this term unfolds with its focused challenges and rewards, I'm grateful for both my worlds – the academic haven of Lancaster and the emotional sanctuary of home. My dissertation topic is confirmed, progress is steady, and I'm determined to balance my dissertation work and skill development with self-care as I navigate this final chapter of my university journey. Hey, this is me, Ishika Mahajan, MSc Investment Management and Financial Analysis student, signing off. Meeting again with other new experiences!

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