Travelling alone to the unknown at age of 17

by LATIFA MOHAMMED AL SABAHI (Oman)

A leap into the unknown Oman

I believe the leap into the unknown that I have chosen to start my path at age of 17 has shapen my personality and my view of life. Few years back I was worried I will not be able to adapt in the United Kingdom (UK). Few days prior to my travel to the UK I was fighting my negative thoughts: ‘’What is waiting for me outside there? Will I have the courage to face the difficulties alone in a strange country’’. Back then, I wanted to drop everything behind I said to myself part of me wanted to challenge and other part of me want me to stay and uncover the truth about travelling. Now I feel connected to this country with my heart and soul. I was afraid and scared of the word ‘’challenge’’ and for most situations, I found myself stepping out of my comfort zone and talking to myself: ‘’ if I did not challenge myself to do it now, then how can I discover my capabilities and interests!’’. I never knew that the leap into the unknown was the start of new and distinct life lessons which I may not receive if I remained in my place. My journey in the UK has taught me interesting lessons which I would like to share with my readers to inspire youngsters to look forward to life and living despite the outcome. One early morning I stopped to pick up my jacket from a laundry shop. At the shop, I have thought of wearing my clean and washed jacket instead of carrying it because of its heavy weight to my accommodation. I wear my jacket and I walked few seconds in the sidewalk before a speeding car splashed me with rainwater that gathered on the road. I was frustrated because the driver continued to drive without stepping out of the car to apologise. I froze out of shock for few seconds then I continued to walk back to my accommodation and calming myself down. Later that night, I have learned that mind peace is import for me because overthinking will not help me to settle and live so to achieve that, I have learned to forgive and give others excuses in order for me to move on and live happily. The funny decision I made was not wash my jacket in winter season because it is raining most of the time. The first four to five months of my arrival to the UK, I was reliant on using one bus to move from my host house to my English school. I faced some disappointment and delays when I am late for school because the bus changes the bus destination board to either ‘’Not in service’’ or ‘’bus is full’’ or there is no bus coming in the hour or so. The first five months in the UK, I was ignorant because I waited for the next buses to come but few months later, I discovered that there are other bus numbers that move to the same route as the one I used. This situation has taught me to seek for alternate ways and look at things from different prospective in my daily life situation and not just transportation. At school, I have met people from different countries around the world which has helped me to build a social connection, respect others point of views. Interestingly, despite the difference in languages and views of life we share same interests such as sport e.g. table tennis. Meeting international students around the world has helped me to discover a side of my personality which also gave me the confidence to seek for international related opportunities which I have succeeded to achieve in the past years. I was upset of my genetic exam mark where I found myself walking into a park. I have chosen a quiet place there and I laid on my back and said to myself while looking at the blue sky with long face: ‘’ Am I lucky?’’ Few hours later I realised when I am pessimistic, I tend to see everything dark and blurry.’’ How can I not be lucky to see such as beauty of nature which I cannot find in the part of the world that I came from! This is itself a blessing which not everyone can afford to see it!’’, I said to myself. I learned revering the sentence to positive is itself a cure for our feelings.