Ah, the grandeur of the Lanyon Building at Queen’s University Belfast – that majestic structure was the sole reason I chose to embark on a journey from Pakistan to Belfast. Little did I know, this adventure would be more of a comedy of errors than a smooth academic transition.

Insta-worthy campus

As I marvel at the splendour of the Lanyon Building, let me share a secret tip with you. For the perfect shot in front of the main Queen’s Building, discreetly place your camera on the edge of the statue of Thomas Brock’s angel and soldier in the middle of the entrance. It's a whispered secret among the student community, and once you've mastered this trick, voila – you've cracked the code to Instagram-worthy pictures!

^{The iconic Lanyon building}

Arrival in Belfast

But this tale isn't just about picturesque landscapes and secret photography hacks; it's about the layers of chaos and laughter that awaited me in Belfast. The odyssey began with a flight from Karachi to Bahrain, where the Middle Eastern opulence spoiled me. Manchester felt like a downgrade, but Belfast was the calm before the storm. Now, let's shift gears to my hilariously chaotic arrival in this charming city.

After landing at the George Best Belfast City Airport, in my attempt at a friendly, yet fake, English accent, I requested the driver to take me to 78 Malone Road Elms BT9. Little did I know, my destination was about to become the setting for a tragicomedy of errors. As we approached the Lanyon Building, I was awestruck. But alas, my residence wasn't within arm's reach of the campus as promised on the website. The car continued its journey, and my heart sank as I realised the website had a different definition of a "5-minute walk."

^{Belfast airport arrival guide}

My comedy of errors

Suddenly, the driver took a left turn and stopped the car: "This is Elms BT9, not Mount Charles (my actual residence as per my accommodation receipt). Mount Charles is 1.5 miles away." Panic ensued, but the kind-hearted driver offered to right his wrongs and drove me to my actual residence. After a U-turn, a scenic drive by the main campus again (Ahhh what a lovely view), we arrived at Mount Charles, which was indeed a 5-minute walk from the main campus.

Ecstatic, I stepped out, only to be confronted by the harsh reality of my adventure: how do I get into my room without keys? A stroke of genius (or desperation) hit me – collect the keys from the reception. But where's the reception? Two angels (aka fellow students) appeared and shattered my illusion – keys were at the Treehouse, a 15-minute walk away. Easy peasy, right?

^{The Treehouse at Elms BT9}

Wrong. Armed with a 6kg carry-on, a burdensome trench coat, and exhaustion from a 24-hour journey, I embarked on a soggy quest. Belfast's signature move – unexpected rain – added to the drama. Lost, confused, and soaked to the bone, I finally reached my destination, only to realise I had been there before. The taxi driver had brought me to this exact spot a few minutes ago! ELMS BT9!

Cursing my luck, dripping wet, and dragging my luggage, I collected my keys and trudged back to Mount Charles. In my room, I abandoned all reason, made my bed, and surrendered to a flood of tears – tears of fatigue, hunger, and frustration after a journey that felt like a tragicomedy.

^{Find out more about accommodation at Queen's}

Finding the charm in my new home city

Yet, amidst the layers of chaos, newfound freedom, and unexpected lessons, I found the charm in Belfast's quirks and the humour in its hiccups. Life here is an intricate dance of layers – layers of warmth, layers of freedom, and layers of chaos. Not to forget, the layers of fat you will lose by walking in this lovely, vibrant city. Welcome to Belfast, where every day is a lesson, every lesson comes with a story worth sharing, and cheers to the layers and the laughs they bring.

^{Find the charm in everyday life in Belfast!}

PS: Always carry a stash of coins or exchange your notes with a benevolent stranger at the airport – a lesson I learned the hard way. Picture this: a 6kg carry-on, two hefty 20kg trolley bags, and me with only notes in my wallet. The airport's tempting £1 trolleys mocked me, forcing me into a comical dance of dragging one bag forward, going back for the other, and repeating the process until I reached the taxi stand. Lesson learned: practicality trumps pride, and always be prepared for the unexpected twists in this delightful Belfast adventure.

Find out more

Pakistan: Admissions Guide

More blogs by students from Pakistan

Belfast arrival guide

Rimsha Ali Siddiqui MSc Marketing | Postgraduate Student | Pakistan Greetings from Pakistan! Delighted to be a part of Queen's, where I'm navigating the exciting realm of marketing—a field that truly captivates me. I am passionate about blending creativity with strategy, I'm here to make a mark and infuse the essence of marketing into every aspect of my student journey. Let's connect and explore the dynamic world of marketing together!