London UK for English Language skills improvement - a travel tale

. I wanted to experience the world but unlike some of my fellow students, I had no money saved up and was in quite a dilemma. I then came across a website which promoted work in the UK and I thought, why not? This could be a new experience as well as a way of earning money. I wanted to go to Thailand where my mother is from and a country I have visited on several occasions, but this time I wanted to teach English to children. Going to the UK would be a great start and would improve my language skills.

I found out that the work was in the hotel business, and I had heard a lot about students going the UK and having the time of their lives. I then decided that this was for me and applied. Two weeks passed and no phone call. I then made up my mind to go to London on my own and try and find work but luckily in the last week they finally replied and within 10 days I was off.

Arriving in London with 3 other Danish girls was like the feeling of freedom. No parents, no responsibility (except for myself) and a whole new life to begin. We arrived at The Bath Spa late at night on the 19 th of September and the next day was put to work. I ended up in the 5 star restaurant which was so daunting I wanted to leave. I had no experience and was a bit nervous about my English skills and really doubted my decision to come the UK . Our accommodation was horrible, every employer living together in a building so close to the hotel that you could see the guests in their windows and the possibility to being called in on your day off.

However, things were to get better. I was transferred to room service alongside one of my friends and we soon became hotel experienced. The work was ok, treating guests like they were Gods, and always being the humble servant. I know, doesn't seem like a dream job, but trust me, you learn A LOT! Most of my time went with partying. I've never had so much fun. Living with people from all over the world in one building was so amazing. We would party all night, come to work at 6 in the morning and party again in the evening.

It felt like being in a whole different world. Speaking English, working at a 5 star hotel, meeting friends from all the continents, I honestly had the time of my life.

After about 8 months, I got a bit tired of it all. The drinking and the partying were getting a bit too monotonous and the work, more boring than ever. I then decided to leave after being there for a year, and it must be mentioned that I hadn't actually saved up any money for my future traveling. My parents then called me up and we decided to take another family vacation to Thailand and this was great as it would be during my one months notice period for the hotel.

I had no idea this was going to change my life forever. Just before I left, a new guy joined the hotel as a chef. He was from Jamaica . I said hello but didn't really take notice of him.

I went on my holiday to Thailand and whilst lying on the beach one day, I had this feeling of regret of resigning from the hotel. Something was wrong and I decided I would take back my notice when I returned to the UK .

Coming back to England and seeing my friends again was great. I stayed and within 2 weeks I had come to know that Jamaican guy a bit better. You know what I mean. At first, it was nothing serious, two people just having fun. But soon enough, it turned into love and thereafter we were inseparable.

Before I knew it, we were living together and talking about the future. It was so exciting meeting someone from a whole other world than me and being the fact that there was an age gap of 11 years made it feel so adventurous and I was the happiest girl in the world.

Wayne, the Jamaican, asked me to marry him in August of 2005 and 6 months later after much planning we went to Jamaica and got married! With the acceptance of my parents and the love of all my friends and his family we had the best day ever and I couldn't have been happier for that one decision of moving to the UK .

Now, we're living in Oxford and time will only tell where we will end up next. We're planning to go back to Jamaica in March for our anniversary and thereafter move to America . In between that time I want to show him my part of the world, Denmark and Thailand and hopefully we will be able to prove to anyone that doubt us, that people really can come together, no matter where they come from. Hey, all you need is love right? Well, that and also the courage to jump into the unknown.