April 2011 when I first visited London, from that day forward I promised myself to visit the beautiful and diverse Britain’s capital again. July 2016 marks the day to fulfill that promised I made myself 5 years ago, this time around my main purpose is to study, leisure is just an option. It took me a year to plan my study. Yes, you heard me right a year!!! Planning a study abroad may not be easy as 1,2 3 or a,b,c. Here’s why.
1.You need to consider your budget and that includes your savings or should I say your hard earned moolas.
2. For OFW’s/expats like us living in the UAE you may as well consider your leave dates. For some it may not be easy to take a longer holiday while others would rather spend time with there families back home.
3. Visa is very crucial – Before making any arrangement of your plans make sure to check the visa requirements and apply if you need one.
4. Book your tickets, accommodation and course in advance. Check with your local travel agent and university the cancellation and refund policy before paying or securing a deal.
5. Baggage allowance – I admit I am not very good in packing my clothes with 30 kgs baggage allowance only (that’s just too little for me). I love dressing up and I can’t live with 2 pairs of shoes alone. Guilty as charged I do not consider myself as a light traveller.
6. Make yourself aware of the location of the university – You don’t want to be running around like a headless chicken on the day of the class if you couldn’t find the location and not report on time – Be punctual. Mine was at the John Prince’s St which is just along Oxford Circus (imagine the number of shops from high street to luxury brands surrounding the area #ShoppingParadise it is).
7. Bring all the necessary documents required by the school and that includes Pen and notepad.
8. Lastly, enjoy while learning. This is the best way to absorb every single detail your mentor has to teach you.
In any case you are planning a weekend tour make sure you have an ample time to reach the location, sometimes tube/trains suspends its operation for some technical reasons.
I took up Principle of Personal Fashion Styling for Men and Women (Part I) – While Paris is synomymous to fashion and produces exceptional haute couture pieces/show. There is no doubt that London shines as much as the amount of stars in heaven with there own take of fashion not to mention the schools and univesities dedicated for arts and fashion alone. This is exactly the reason why I chose University of Arts and London to boost my styling skills. I have done series of styling for friends and people who approached me for help them enhance there looks. I must say I enjoyed every bit of it. I love the idea of helping people to make them look good and most of all to make them feel good about themselves. It adds confidence knowing what suits you well. We had been given an actual challenge on the last day of the course and everyone has a fair share of thier own vision of styling. Overall I had a great time and learnt a lot of new things and techniques. I can now officially call myself a Professional Personal Stylist.
Indeed “Fashion dictates, Styling is knowing what suits you well” – Khel
I will post my outfits during my stay in London on my next entry so stay tuned @TheMetroSapiens
The Metrosapiens