For GBP 1,000 expense a month, I would need Rs 1 lakh from my parents

Cheryl Jadav, moving to UK to study, is facing a dilemma of how she is going to fend for herself there

At the age of 21, I took up to working in an upcoming social media agency in Mumbai. Nearing a year in Mumbai, I resigned to continue with my studies and to take a break to be with my family. Since then, I have been working as a freelance social media marketer in order to stay in touch with my field and earn money at the same time. 

 

I had taken the decision to study Social Media, and to get through the best college. I preferred UK as it offered a masters degree in a year’s span, unlike most countries where one has to commit 2 years.

 

 

Of course, London is an expensive city -- considering my stay and other expenses + the fee, it came up to about Rs 20 lakhs for a year which was still cheaper than a two year course in any other country. 

 

My plan was to take a couple of months to settle there, post which, I would start looking for a part time job in order to fend for myself.

 

When I paid my deposit, the rate of rupee against the GBP was 91 which has now crossed Rs 100 a pound.

I am now afraid. If this keep escalating, survival will be difficult because the question arises “How much can one ask from their parents?”

 

Considering an expense of 1,000 GBP every month, my parents will have to send me a lakh every month till I start feeding myself. It will be an added burden on them which has now put me into a dilemma -- whether or not I am making the right decision. 

 

Even before going I am calculating wherever I can reduce my expenses. I am hunting for something as cheap as possible to reside and also calling off some travel and exploring plans till the time I get a part time job.

 

I have suddenly started keeping a tab on currency rates as if I am a Forex trader. I wake up checking the rupee value on my smart phone and it is also the last thing I do before I sleep.

 

As for my sake and others hoping to pursue their dreams, I hope the economy figures a way out. 

 

For a course like mine, I do not have an option of good university in India which makes it all the more difficult. I am almost left with no choice but to spend a bomb!