After a refreshing morning run in Richmond Park, I decided to take a short train ride to Waterloo Station. My destination was Southampton, where I would be reuniting with my dear friend Amanda – someone who played a huge role during one of the most formative years of my life.
Back in 2019, when we were both studying for our Master’s program at the University of Southampton, Amanda and I were randomly assigned as flatmates. By sheer luck, we ended up in a charming bungalow, which became our home for an entire year. Looking back, I realize just how much that living arrangement shaped my time in Southampton.
That year wasn’t without challenges. I was going through a painful breakup, and Amanda was one of the few constants in my life. She was always there for me – inviting me to fun events, encouraging nights out with new friends, and joining me for long walks and hikes where our conversations stretched for hours. Her presence turned what could have been a lonely year into a time filled with warmth, laughter, and meaningful connections.
Waterloo Station
My trips to Southampton always start at London Waterloo, and the station itself carries a lot of sentimental value for me. When I lived in Southampton, I used to travel to London almost every month to see friends. Each journey began here, making it a personal landmark in my life.
For those unfamiliar, Waterloo Station (officially London Waterloo) is one of the most important railway hubs in the UK. Opened in 1848 by the London and South Western Railway, it replaced Nine Elms because of its proximity to London’s West End. Interestingly, it was never meant to be a terminus – the original plan was for the line to continue towards the City of London. This led to a rather unplanned station layout in its early years, which made finding the right platform a bit of a challenge.
The station underwent a major rebuild in the early 20th century and reopened in 1922, complete with the iconic Victory Arch commemorating World War I. It was the last London terminus to operate steam-powered services, which ended in 1967. For over a decade, from 1994 to 2007, Waterloo was also the London home of Eurostar services before they moved to St. Pancras.
Today, Waterloo is the UK’s largest station in terms of floor space and the number of platforms, serving as the terminus for the South West Main Line to Weymouth via Southampton, as well as routes to Exeter, Portsmouth, and other destinations. It’s also the third busiest station in the country, handling nearly 58 million passengers annually.
For me, though, Waterloo is a gateway to a city that holds a piece of my heart.
A Train Ride Full of Memories
Once aboard the train, I pulled out Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss, a book I’d brought along for my holiday. But reading was interrupted every so often by glances out the window at the rolling green fields, quaint villages, and gentle hills. Train journeys in the UK have a way of slowing you down, making you appreciate the changing scenery.
Naturally, my thoughts kept drifting back to my time in Southampton and to Amanda.
Amanda is from Lebanon, a beautiful Mediterranean country known for its rich history, vibrant culture, and incredible food. Living with her was like having a slice of Lebanese warmth in our English bungalow. We often spent afternoons sipping tea, watching Friends episodes, and having the kind of deep conversations that only happen when you feel completely at ease with someone.
After completing her degree, Amanda stayed in Southampton and began her career at BAT. Today, she leads their Global ESG Leaf Initiative, a role that fits her personality and ambition perfectly.
Back in Southampton: A City That Feels Like Home
After an hour on the train, I stepped onto the familiar streets of Southampton. It was a strange mix of nostalgia and curiosity – the landmarks were the same, but I had changed. I took a short walk through the city before meeting Amanda for a Lebanese lunch.
The moment I saw her, we hugged tightly, as if no time had passed. Over a table full of flavorful dishes – warm pita bread, hummus, tabbouleh – we caught up on life. I couldn’t help but feel proud of how far she’s come, and grateful for the role she’s played in my own journey.
Life has its ups and downs, but sitting there, we both recognized how our challenges had shaped us into stronger, more resilient people.
A Quick Shift to Work Mode: UWC Vietnam
After our lunch, I had to switch gears for an hour-long UWC Vietnam Selection Committee meeting. I found a cozy spot in a café, ordered a chai latte, and opened my laptop. Our discussion focused on timelines for the upcoming selection cycle, and excitement filled the virtual room as we planned the next six months of reviewing applications and interviewing candidates.
The UWC mission – uniting people, nations, and cultures for peace and a sustainable future — is one I hold close to my heart, and being able to contribute to choosing the next generation of students is deeply rewarding.
Back to London: The Pearson College UWC Reunion
Once the meeting wrapped up, I hopped on the train back to London for yet another reunion – this time with my Pearson College UWC friends at Gogo Pocha, a Korean restaurant we frequented in the past.
Our London-based Pearson group includes Gabbie, Nicholas, Rutendo, and Samantha, with others like Anna joining when they can. These friendships are lifelong bonds forged in our unique UWC environment, where diversity, shared purpose, and a sense of adventure bring people together in extraordinary ways.
Over dinner, we exchanged stories of what had changed in our lives over the past few years. I’m always inspired by my friends’ paths:
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Samantha is pursuing her PhD at Imperial College London, conducting research at the Natural History Museum. Before that, she was the lead biotech engineer at BIOHM. I remember her talking about her passion for science back at Pearson, and now she’s living her dream.
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Gabbie, who works at EY, continues his diving adventures. He shared plans for upcoming trips, and I recalled visiting him and his family in the Philippines last summer — an experience full of warmth, ocean breezes, and connection.
The evening was filled with laughter, shared memories, and the comfort of knowing that no matter where life takes us, these friendships remain solid.
Reunions
Travel often focuses on destinations, but for me, it’s the people that make the journey worthwhile. Reuniting with friends like Amanda, catching up with UWC colleagues, and sitting around a table with Pearson friends reminds me that relationships are one of the most valuable investments we can make.
These moments also serve as checkpoints in life – times when you realize how much you’ve grown, how far your friends have come, and how the paths you’ve taken still cross in beautiful ways.
