أَعُوْذُ بِاللهِ مِنَ الشَّـيْطٰنِ الرَّجِيْمِ
Bismillah ir-rahman ir-rahim.
Assalamualaikum wbt
I clearly remember it wasn't an easy one, but not impossible. Bookmarked about 6 to 7 hospitals, crossed 3 because of closed datelines(it was 9 months prior practical) and emailed the remaining 4. Negative responses from 2 and 1 delayed reply. And finally the one and only positive fast reply was from School of Medicine belongs to Sheffield University. No other choices as i couldn't afford to pay the registration fee to enroll in the big well-organized student exchange program where they will basically take care of everything.
The steps were quite straight forwards from the UK point of view, but it was close to impossible when dealing it from the isolated proud Russian Federation, especially in this WW2 heroic city, Volgograd.
To simplify, they needed : 200 pounds for the administration fee ; passport, English 1119 qualification, letter from current uni, previous year to year academic achievements, letter declaring clean criminal record from district police office-all in pdf format. Oh i don't want to remember about translating the documents and verifying it with the lawyers, it was just hard when the docs were all in russian. And last but not least after series of emails, they suddenly required a visa to the UK, 1.5 months before flying (i knew about this earlier as it is written on the website but my friend said she didn't have to do it as we are Malaysians and it was for just a short course anyway, and I've confirmed my visa-less entrance with the UK borders(the only counter-back i had with me)), which costs range from 300-800 pounds depending on the urgency, the fastest the most expensive. Hmm, flight tickets were all paid so turning back was not an option at all, i knew i needed plan B and C.
-"Miss Thi Liana, please kindly use this ID to enter our system, and fill up the forms needed so that we can produce the CAS number(it is similar to the invitation letter produced before you can apply a visa) as soon as possible, thank you." in one of the email that filled up my worries. I completed the whole processes just to make that lady stop bugging me with her emails, because somehow the confirmation email saying i don't need a visa from the UK borders agency just couldn't satisfy her. Biggest concern at that moment was, my name has been expected to apply the visa since i've gotten the CAS, i was afraid they ll stop me at the airport, thus i tried calling, emailed and whatsapped malaysian embassy in the UK. Not a single reply given. I notified my parents and they were willing to pay my flight back to Toulouse in case i wasn't allowed to enter the UK-that was plan B, if i couldn't get through the UK.
In life, you should always prepare for the worst. Thanks God, i went through UK border at the airport just fine. The officer smiled and said have a nice trip. Just that. Although i had my paid interrail ticket which i planned to do post practical, printed email from the UK border and the supporting letter from my uni with the message of 'i have to come back to my uni this September' ready in my hand for any risen issues. Very ready to debate, " i am not going to stay in the UK forever, i just want to study!", yet it was unexpectedly smooth, Alhamdulillah.
Accommodation was not provided, luckily I was born a Malaysian in which we are undoubtedly very supportive and helpful towards one another. Contacted my friend i knew from secondary school and he straight away gave me a link to fill in, as if it was no more a new issue and no biggie. Got myself a room, with 5 other postgraduate Malaysian students in the most perfect location ever one could ever wished for! Alhamdulillah.
Plan C was about if i couldn't register in the Sheffield University because i have no visa with me. I did consult my seniors regarding this and again Alhamdulillah they connected me with a Malaysian medical specialist in the Manchester University, he was well informed about my situation and emailed me assurance for a placement in case i couldn't register in Sheffield.
Here were about the last challenging steps i encountered, that were very impossible if not by the help of Allah swt, The Bestest Planner, kun fa ya kun. If He said be it, nothing can ever stop you! MasyaAllah how beautiful His plan is indeed!
10th July, Thursday.
10am : Firstly, I went to the Medical school as directed in the email. I got my introductory files about Sheffield town, hospitals and uni, what to do next(medical checkup and register with Sheffield university at the student union to get my student card enabling me to access all facilities of the uni and to have free bus rides to my practical hospital) and importantly i got the details of who, where and when to meet my practical supervisor(the details were 11th July, Friday at 1pm(what a weird hour to meet!)).
11am : i went to the student union and straight to the registration office. There was a notice on the door, "Closed for today and will be opened again on friday from 9.00am ". So i was wandering around the student union, checking out every office with different services-from charity work, to accommodation help, to sports clubs, to financial help, to the public lounges, to its fancy uni shops and later i stumbled across a Student Service Information Desk (SSiD). Not knowing what else to do, i went to ask them about my situation and what will the worst thing that could possibly happen to me. They said "Well we could not answer that but perhaps the Student Support, (The University of Sheffield has trained immigration specialists to assist you with your questions. Please do not take the advice of your friends or other members of staff within the University as their knowledge and experience may not be up to date) can help you.
12pm : went on the 6th floor to meet the law specialist and i was booked for the 2pm appointment with him, luckily i was early enough as he can only take 6 clients per sessions. i asked the clerk that took my details for the appointment, "Ma'am, what's the worst that can happen to me?", she replied "You know what, in life you should not worry much if the problem is not happening yet, possibilities vary but sometimes you just have to be positive, wait and see. When the problem is actual than you can think of the options." Wow, I had my big fat life lesson from a random clerk somewhere in the UK. Its true what she said, as a believer, i shouldn't be too worried if i truly believe that what will happened is yet the best.
1pm : Went to the medical checkup while waiting for the appointment at 2pm. The doctor was lovely! I already begin to feel welcoming and more relax.
2pm : The time has come, went to see the immigration and visa specialist, John. "Well i've checked the latest law on October 2013, it says you can do an elective here without visa, just with the general stamp, as long as it is shorter than 30 days. So i have emailed the registration department and here the printed one for your keep. If any problem feel free to contact us please. Shouldn't be any problem for you to register tomorrow dear." Alhamdulillah!!!!!! I felt blessed. Who could ever imagine it would turn out this way! That was how i got to stay in Sheffield. I thanked my plan B and C and notified them the good news.
11th July, Friday.
9am : registered myself at the registration office and got myself the very official Sheffield student card. Went to the 24hours library to borrow some books and claimed my free welcoming breakfast.
12pm : successfully went to Northern General Hospital ( NGH ) to meet my supervisor, Dr.S.
1pm : she came and introduced me to the medical ward and attached me to a 2nd year foundation doctor/HO from Malaysia, Dr.E, prior to her 1 week leave on vacation.
1-5pm : getting to know other electives students from different part of the globe and HOs. Took the bus back home.
THE BEAUTY OF A TOTAL SURRENDER TOWARDS HIS PLANS IS BEYOND IMAGINATION, KUN FA YA KUN( BE WHEN HE SAID "BE IT") - IF YOU JUST HAVE FAITH.
Bismillah ir-rahman ir-rahim.
Assalamualaikum wbt
PART 2 : THE SLIT-NARROW CHANCES & THE UNSEEN BEAUTIFUL FATE - IF YOU JUST HAVE FAITH
-"Mom, Z( one of my childhood bffs) is in the UK right now doing her practical." i told my mom about a year ago.
-"Well, if she can, so do you. You've done your practicals both in Russia and Malaysia already, so how about experiencing new system now for your last elective as a student. Of course i will try to support you financially but not with the documentations and the processes, if you really want, you have to do it yourself." My mom was foreseeing the benefits for me at her best.
I clearly remember it wasn't an easy one, but not impossible. Bookmarked about 6 to 7 hospitals, crossed 3 because of closed datelines(it was 9 months prior practical) and emailed the remaining 4. Negative responses from 2 and 1 delayed reply. And finally the one and only positive fast reply was from School of Medicine belongs to Sheffield University. No other choices as i couldn't afford to pay the registration fee to enroll in the big well-organized student exchange program where they will basically take care of everything.
The steps were quite straight forwards from the UK point of view, but it was close to impossible when dealing it from the isolated proud Russian Federation, especially in this WW2 heroic city, Volgograd.
To simplify, they needed : 200 pounds for the administration fee ; passport, English 1119 qualification, letter from current uni, previous year to year academic achievements, letter declaring clean criminal record from district police office-all in pdf format. Oh i don't want to remember about translating the documents and verifying it with the lawyers, it was just hard when the docs were all in russian. And last but not least after series of emails, they suddenly required a visa to the UK, 1.5 months before flying (i knew about this earlier as it is written on the website but my friend said she didn't have to do it as we are Malaysians and it was for just a short course anyway, and I've confirmed my visa-less entrance with the UK borders(the only counter-back i had with me)), which costs range from 300-800 pounds depending on the urgency, the fastest the most expensive. Hmm, flight tickets were all paid so turning back was not an option at all, i knew i needed plan B and C.
-"Miss Thi Liana, please kindly use this ID to enter our system, and fill up the forms needed so that we can produce the CAS number(it is similar to the invitation letter produced before you can apply a visa) as soon as possible, thank you." in one of the email that filled up my worries. I completed the whole processes just to make that lady stop bugging me with her emails, because somehow the confirmation email saying i don't need a visa from the UK borders agency just couldn't satisfy her. Biggest concern at that moment was, my name has been expected to apply the visa since i've gotten the CAS, i was afraid they ll stop me at the airport, thus i tried calling, emailed and whatsapped malaysian embassy in the UK. Not a single reply given. I notified my parents and they were willing to pay my flight back to Toulouse in case i wasn't allowed to enter the UK-that was plan B, if i couldn't get through the UK.
In life, you should always prepare for the worst. Thanks God, i went through UK border at the airport just fine. The officer smiled and said have a nice trip. Just that. Although i had my paid interrail ticket which i planned to do post practical, printed email from the UK border and the supporting letter from my uni with the message of 'i have to come back to my uni this September' ready in my hand for any risen issues. Very ready to debate, " i am not going to stay in the UK forever, i just want to study!", yet it was unexpectedly smooth, Alhamdulillah.
Accommodation was not provided, luckily I was born a Malaysian in which we are undoubtedly very supportive and helpful towards one another. Contacted my friend i knew from secondary school and he straight away gave me a link to fill in, as if it was no more a new issue and no biggie. Got myself a room, with 5 other postgraduate Malaysian students in the most perfect location ever one could ever wished for! Alhamdulillah.
Plan C was about if i couldn't register in the Sheffield University because i have no visa with me. I did consult my seniors regarding this and again Alhamdulillah they connected me with a Malaysian medical specialist in the Manchester University, he was well informed about my situation and emailed me assurance for a placement in case i couldn't register in Sheffield.
Here were about the last challenging steps i encountered, that were very impossible if not by the help of Allah swt, The Bestest Planner, kun fa ya kun. If He said be it, nothing can ever stop you! MasyaAllah how beautiful His plan is indeed!
10th July, Thursday.
10am : Firstly, I went to the Medical school as directed in the email. I got my introductory files about Sheffield town, hospitals and uni, what to do next(medical checkup and register with Sheffield university at the student union to get my student card enabling me to access all facilities of the uni and to have free bus rides to my practical hospital) and importantly i got the details of who, where and when to meet my practical supervisor(the details were 11th July, Friday at 1pm(what a weird hour to meet!)).
 |
| Won the best student union award in 2013 |
11am : i went to the student union and straight to the registration office. There was a notice on the door, "Closed for today and will be opened again on friday from 9.00am ". So i was wandering around the student union, checking out every office with different services-from charity work, to accommodation help, to sports clubs, to financial help, to the public lounges, to its fancy uni shops and later i stumbled across a Student Service Information Desk (SSiD). Not knowing what else to do, i went to ask them about my situation and what will the worst thing that could possibly happen to me. They said "Well we could not answer that but perhaps the Student Support, (The University of Sheffield has trained immigration specialists to assist you with your questions. Please do not take the advice of your friends or other members of staff within the University as their knowledge and experience may not be up to date) can help you.
 |
| My logic just couldn't brain this, indeed a very meticulous detailed plan written by Him, i would say it was fated rather than my luck. |
12pm : went on the 6th floor to meet the law specialist and i was booked for the 2pm appointment with him, luckily i was early enough as he can only take 6 clients per sessions. i asked the clerk that took my details for the appointment, "Ma'am, what's the worst that can happen to me?", she replied "You know what, in life you should not worry much if the problem is not happening yet, possibilities vary but sometimes you just have to be positive, wait and see. When the problem is actual than you can think of the options." Wow, I had my big fat life lesson from a random clerk somewhere in the UK. Its true what she said, as a believer, i shouldn't be too worried if i truly believe that what will happened is yet the best.
1pm : Went to the medical checkup while waiting for the appointment at 2pm. The doctor was lovely! I already begin to feel welcoming and more relax.
2pm : The time has come, went to see the immigration and visa specialist, John. "Well i've checked the latest law on October 2013, it says you can do an elective here without visa, just with the general stamp, as long as it is shorter than 30 days. So i have emailed the registration department and here the printed one for your keep. If any problem feel free to contact us please. Shouldn't be any problem for you to register tomorrow dear." Alhamdulillah!!!!!! I felt blessed. Who could ever imagine it would turn out this way! That was how i got to stay in Sheffield. I thanked my plan B and C and notified them the good news.
11th July, Friday.
9am : registered myself at the registration office and got myself the very official Sheffield student card. Went to the 24hours library to borrow some books and claimed my free welcoming breakfast.
 |
| Thanks mom for the opportunities and supports given. Can't make it without you. |
12pm : successfully went to Northern General Hospital ( NGH ) to meet my supervisor, Dr.S.
1pm : she came and introduced me to the medical ward and attached me to a 2nd year foundation doctor/HO from Malaysia, Dr.E, prior to her 1 week leave on vacation.
 |
| Dr.E and my fellow housemates at Beauford Road 12 on Eid celebration. |
1-5pm : getting to know other electives students from different part of the globe and HOs. Took the bus back home.
 |
| The entire building is actually a mini hospital simulator for students to practice various skills. |
THE BEAUTY OF A TOTAL SURRENDER TOWARDS HIS PLANS IS BEYOND IMAGINATION, KUN FA YA KUN( BE WHEN HE SAID "BE IT") - IF YOU JUST HAVE FAITH.
Subhanallah! Indeed, He is the best planner =)
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