Leap of Faith
How I found myself in the land of tea and rain
Hello there! I am excited to share part of my personal story with you in the hopes that it may inspire someone in a similar situation to embrace adventure and challenges. In today’s world, failure should not be feared but rather embraced, and by enjoying challenges and failures, everyone can find their way to happiness.
The Adventure Begins
Leaving behind a comfortable life in Milan, Italy, and moving to the UK was undoubtedly one of the biggest risks I have ever taken in my life. It was 2018 when I made the decision to embark on this adventure. I left my permanent role, gathered my savings, and said goodbye to my family and friends in search of something more meaningful.
But my journey was not without its challenges. Everyone around me tried to discourage me, telling me that it was not worth it, that I should be content with my underpaid full-time job, and that I could not make it in a new country where I didn’t even speak the language. They said I was weak and that I should stay put. But deep down, I knew that taking a leap of faith was the only way for me to find my purpose in life.
Fast forward to today, and I can confidently say that it was the best decision I ever made. I am now enrolled on the 3rd year of the University of Glasgow in a product design degree course, something that I would not have been able to do back home. I have also found love and have a fulfilling social life that I could never have imagined and working as a product designer with clients all over the world.
If I had listened to the naysayers, I would not be where I am today. Moving to the UK has opened up a world of opportunities for me, and I am grateful for the experience. In this article, I will share with you the benefits of moving to the UK and why taking a risk and stepping out of your comfort zone can be the best thing you ever do.
Milan-London One Way
As a person who needs to have everything planned and is a bit of a perfectionist, moving to the UK was a daunting prospect for me. I wanted to have everything under control, but at the same time, I didn’t want to rush into finding a permanent place to stay. That’s when I stumbled upon a website called Workaway, which allowed me to volunteer my skills in exchange for food and accommodation.
I was lucky enough to find a few families who were interested in my skills, specifically in electric maintenance for their homes. I booked a one-way flight to London in early 2018, said goodbye to my family, and boarded the plane with mixed emotions. From the sky, I passed over Switzerland and France, reaching the UK for the very first time. I was miles away from home, and I was questioning what I was doing.
Upon landing at Gatwick Airport, I realised that things were not going to be easy. I had to reach Brighton, where the family was waiting for me, but I didn’t understand much English, and I had never travelled by train before. To make matters worse, I got lost for six hours and couldn’t reach my destination. I asked for information from several people and used Google Translate to communicate. Finally, I arrived in Brighton late at night, exhausted and overwhelmed.
Aye, I Moved to Scotland!
After spending four months travelling around England and Wales, I finally reached my last family in Perth, Scotland. Initially, I was full of enthusiasm but soon realised that the family was taking advantage of me. They asked me to work long hours every day, and I had no time to study English or do much else. I started to feel overwhelmed and homesick. However, I reminded myself that home would always be there, and giving up was not an option. I decided to move on and see where this journey would take me.
I went to Edinburgh and took care of all my legal documentation to be able to work in the UK. Eventually, I decided to settle in Glasgow, which was young, vibrant and had plenty of opportunities. I moved into a house with 12 other people, including some fellow Italians, which made it easier to connect due to the language barrier with other flatmates. After a few days of settling down, it was time to start looking for work.
Initially, I tried to find work as an electrician or CAD technician, but because of the language barrier and the lack of a degree, it was impossible. My savings were running out, and I had to start spending my emergency funds. As a result, I had to lower my expectations and started looking for any job I could get. Eventually, I found my first job as a dishwasher in a busy restaurant in the West End of Glasgow, near the University of Glasgow. The atmosphere of the area was amazing, and it felt like I was living in a scene straight out of Harry Potter.
How I Stumbled into My Dream Career
After years of working long shifts and under a lot of stress, my English improved greatly and I was able to land better jobs such as a sales assistant and even a social worker position. My social life was flourishing and I finally started feeling at home. I moved around ten times over the years but finally decided to take the leap and pursue a college degree.
I chose a Computer Design course in Glasgow that matched my skills, and after skipping a year thanks to my previous experience, I graduated with an HND in Computer Design, earning an A grade and landing my first design work. Looking for further education, I did apply to a popular university in the city centre, but unfortunately, I was rejected and could not enrol.
I rekindled my passion for design and continued to learn by self-teaching and enrolling in Google’s UX Design course and attending workshops, meetups, and mentorship sessions with senior product designers. I even started my own freelance activity and began working towards a career that I love. And now, I am thrilled to say that I will be attending the University of Glasgow, the Harry Potter school I worked near in my first home in Scotland, starting in September 2023, while also continuing my Product Design freelance work. The journey has been challenging, but I wouldn’t change it for the world.
Conclusion
My journey has been filled with challenges that I had to overcome to get where I am today. I failed many times, but I refused to give up. It wasn’t easy leaving my family behind and moving to a foreign country, but I knew I had to do it. I had to learn a new language, adapt to a new culture, and find a purpose for myself. It was tough, but I did it.
There were moments when I visited my family, and I didn’t know whether to come back. I had friends who wanted to see me fail, but I also had friends who wanted me to succeed. Failure is normal and common, but it’s how you handle it that matters. I learned to celebrate small victories, like being able to understand the songs on my playlist.
I am just a normal person who had a dream and worked hard to make it happen. I am still a work in progress, and I know that my journey is far from over. However, I have achieved so much, and I am proud of what I have accomplished. I was able to move abroad, work hard, and find a purpose. I never gave up, and I am grateful for every step of my journey.
Now, I am going to study at the University of Glasgow, work as a Product Designer, and explore new places whenever I can. If I can do it, it means that everyone can do it. It’s all about believing in yourself, setting goals, and taking action. I am passionate about my journey, and I hope that my story inspires others to chase their dreams and never give up.
