The moment I set foot on my study-abroad journey in the UK, I wasn’t just crossing geographical borders—I was stepping into a deeply transformative experience, both culturally and personally. This chapter of my life reshaped how I see the world and, more importantly, how I understand myself. Looking back, what once felt like culture shock has become one of my greatest sources of growth.
Dressing Freely: From Confusion to Liberation
On my very first day in the UK, what I saw at the airport and on campus left me speechless. A girl with purple hair, a smoky eye look, and a full tracksuit walked confidently through the quad. Another wore a bright rainbow jacket and proudly introduced herself as a lesbian during orientation. I glanced down at my “appropriate” long-sleeved sweater and suddenly realised how much I’d internalised the idea of dressing to fit in, rather than dressing for myself.
Growing up in Asia, many of us are taught to care—sometimes obsessively—about how others perceive us. "What will people think?" was a phrase that echoed throughout my upbringing. Yet in the UK, the message was clear without anyone having to say it: fashion is self-expression, not a metric of social acceptability.
After getting over the initial shock and confusion, I started experimenting with different styles, exploring what truly felt like “me”. I slowly let go of the anxiety about appearance and embraced the joy of dressing for myself. And along the way, I found a quiet kind of freedom.
A Transformation Beyond the Surface
This newfound freedom in clothing sparked something deeper—a shift in mindset. When I stopped pouring energy into trying to read other people’s judgements, I suddenly had more space to explore my passions and interests. I started speaking up more in class, even if my answers weren’t perfect. I brought my own sense of humour and personality into social spaces without fear of standing out.
Of course, this wasn’t an overnight transformation. Having grown up with collectivist values—“blend in, don’t stand out”—asserting individuality felt unnatural at first. But the UK’s emphasis on personal identity and self-expression encouraged me to discover and embrace my uniqueness. What began as discomfort became clarity.
The Art of Cultural Integration
After a year of studying and several months of working in the UK, I’ve come to a profound realisation: adapting to a new culture isn’t about abandoning your roots; it’s about learning to blend and balance.
I didn’t have to let go of the wisdom and harmony I inherited from Eastern values. Nor did I need to blindly adopt every aspect of Western individualism. Instead, I found ways to integrate both. I learnt to speak up in seminars while still respecting other viewpoints. I could show personality in public while maintaining strong connections with family and community.
This integration extended far beyond what I wore or said—it changed the way I thought, felt, and valued things.
Becoming a More Complete Me
Today, when I walk down the streets of the UK, I no longer worry if my outfit "fits the norm". I enjoy the freedom of being unapologetically myself. And that, more than anything else, has been the greatest gift of this journey.
Studying in the UK didn’t just teach me academic theories or professional skills. It taught me how to navigate the tension between different cultural values—and how to come out of it stronger, more confident, and more whole.
In the collision between East and West, I found a space to redefine who I am. This journey wasn’t always easy, but it gave me something invaluable: the power to live as my most authentic self.
And that, to me, is what studying abroad is truly all about.
