Every Friendship Added a New Story to My London Journey
For Bharath Kalyan, London’s biggest takeaway wasn’t just the global classroom—it was the people who made it unforgettable.
As part of SP Jain Global’s Master of Global Business (MGB) programme, Bharath spent his first term in Singapore before heading to London for his student exchange and is now completing his final term in Dubai. While every city has contributed to his global learning journey, it was during his time in London that friendships across cultures transformed a foreign city into a place that truly felt like home.
This Friendship Day, Bharath reflects on the meaningful relationships he built with classmates from around the world, the lessons those friendships taught him beyond the classroom, and the memories that continue to stay with him long after leaving London.
When London Started Feeling Like Home
When I first arrived in London, my expectations about meeting new people were naturally high. Singapore had already been my first international experience, but London felt like a completely different experience altogether because of the incredible diversity the city offers. I knew I would meet people from all over the world, each bringing different perspectives, cultures, and experiences.
Like any student arriving in a new country, everything initially felt unfamiliar. There is a certain reserve to people when you first meet them, but London has this wonderful way of surprising you when you least expect it.
The moment the city stopped feeling unfamiliar and started feeling like home wasn’t marked by one defining event. Instead, it happened through the little moments that slowly became part of everyday life. My daily commute to college on the DLR, right beside my accommodation, walking through London’s streets after class, buying my own groceries, and settling into a routine—all of these ordinary experiences gradually made the city feel familiar.
It wasn’t one grand moment. It was the rhythm of everyday life that quietly turned London into a place I could call home.
Learning About the World Through Friendships
Coming from India, after already spending four months studying in Singapore, I suddenly found myself surrounded by students from Europe, South America, and many other parts of the world.
Initially, that diversity felt challenging. Everyone came from different educational backgrounds, cultures, and ways of thinking. But very quickly, that challenge became one of the most rewarding parts of my London exchange.
I found myself constantly learning about different cultures and everyday practices simply by spending time with people who lived them. Every conversation introduced me to something new—whether it was learning about traditions, understanding different viewpoints, or simply seeing how people approached everyday life.
It genuinely felt like exploring the world without ever leaving London. When you’re surrounded by people from so many different backgrounds, it’s almost like travelling to their countries through them. Even while sitting in the same classroom, you feel connected to cultures from across the globe.
Those friendships expanded my perspective in ways I never expected. They taught me that collaboration becomes richer when everyone brings something different to the table, and that diversity isn’t simply about where people come from—it’s about how much we can learn from one another.
The Conversations I’ll Always Remember
Some of my favourite memories are from our classroom group discussions, especially during courses where we’d debate ideas across different groups.
Those sessions were where learning stopped feeling purely academic and started feeling alive.
Everyone approached problems differently, and every discussion reflected a unique perspective shaped by different cultures and experiences. Listening to those viewpoints challenged my own thinking and made every classroom conversation far more meaningful than simply finding the right answer.
Outside the classroom, friendships continued to grow through shared meals, spontaneous conversations, exploring London together, and simply spending time with one another.
Those everyday moments often became the most memorable ones.
Lessons Beyond Any Textbook
What my friends taught me is something no classroom or textbook ever could.
Simple things like looking out for one another, checking in when someone needed support, and showing up for people exactly when they needed it most became lessons I’ll carry with me long after graduation.
Living together in a new country naturally brings people closer. You celebrate together, overcome challenges together, and gradually become each other’s support system.
Those experiences reminded me that global education isn’t only about learning international business—it is equally about learning how to understand people from different cultures with empathy, openness, and respect.
The People Who Made London Even More Special
Friendships in London extended well beyond classmates.
Our Global Learning Committee and our Global Learning Head, Ella and Paul, were incredibly friendly, approachable, and genuinely invested in making our experience memorable. They always listened to our feedback and went out of their way to organise activities we had specifically requested, including Harry potter studio tour and visit to Lord’s Cricket Ground and museums.
When we shared our interest, they worked through the logistics and budget to make it happen.
As cricket is every Indian’s favourite sport, walking into Lord’s was a moment I will never forget. It became one of those experiences that reminded me how much difference people can make simply by listening and going the extra mile.
Academically, Professor Aarif was someone we could always turn to whenever we faced a roadblock. He was always approachable, supportive, and willing to guide us whenever we needed help.
Those relationships made London feel much more personal than simply being another study destination.
A Journey to Scotland That I’ll Never Forget
One trip that will always stay with me is our journey to Scotland with friends.
The landscapes completely blew my mind. Driving through the cool breeze of the Scottish Highlands was magnificent, and the views Scotland has to offer are honestly difficult to put into words.
One of the biggest highlights was visiting the famous Skyfall filming location at Glencoe, a destination that had been on my bucket list for the longest time. Finally standing there felt like a dream come true.
From there, we drove through the Highlands all the way to the Isle of Skye, trekking across the rocky terrain of the Old Man of Storr with friends by my side.
Looking back today, I realise it wasn’t only the breathtaking scenery that made the journey unforgettable. It was sharing those incredible moments with friends who had become such an important part of my London experience.
It truly was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and a memory I’ll cherish forever.
Friendships That Continue Across Continents
Today, my journey has moved to Dubai for the final term of my MGB programme, but the friendships I built during my London exchange remain an important part of my life.
We still keep in touch, regularly checking in with one another and sharing stories about life in Dubai while reminiscing about our time together in London.
Distance and different time zones haven’t really changed much.
The conversations may happen less often than they once did, but the friendships remain just as meaningful.
My Message to Future SP Jain Global Students
If I could leave one message for future SP Jain Global students, it would simply be this: embrace everything.
Be open to meeting new people. Step outside your comfort zone. Say yes to conversations with people whose lives may be completely different from your own.
London has so much to offer—the architecture, the culture, the extraordinary diversity of people, and even the incredible landscapes just beyond the city, like Scotland. Academically too, it offers a learning experience that feels different from both Singapore and Dubai.
But beyond everything else, it is the people you’ll meet who will shape your journey the most.
Every conversation, every shared meal, every classroom discussion, every trip, and every friendship adds another chapter to your story.
Everyone says London is an experience that stays with you for a lifetime.
After living it myself, I couldn’t agree more.
About the authorBharath Kalyan is from Hyderabad, India and holds a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering. He is currently pursuing the Master of Global Business (Global Finance) at SP Jain School of Global Management. Through the school’s tri-city learning model, Bharath has studied his MGB term 1 inSingapore, completed his student exchange term 2 in London, and is currently pursuing his final term in Dubai. Passionate about exploring new cultures and global perspectives, he believes some of life’s greatest lessons come through the people you meet along the journey.
Recommended reads:
