In the 40s and 50s, Britain seemed like a distant land, forbidden yet beckoning anyone who would come and taste at his own risk, the astute Englishmen forever distant and wondered what anyone was doing here coming from the outside world quite unnecessarily and face this land of wisdom and a superior intellect. On the face of it, the Englishman seemed unapproachable, and would not even talk to you unless you were introduced in some magical way. The newcomer was doomed to be a failure, specially if that person had not come recommended by one of the British Offices at home, and these were scattered all over the globe, only to faced by the stogy monolith that was called The Colonial Office. Said office was near Victoria Station. (and The Strand). If one did eventually satisfy the curiosity of the said office, then life was a little better, as later, one approached the 'British Council', specially formed to make a newcomer feel at home, and satisfy their needs; Of course, needs were many- hardships- accommodations, getting in line for a course of study , finances from home, anxiety with regards to the future and many many others. At that time the 'ruler' of the Colonial Office was an Englishman called Mr. Billington, a truly austere and an unapproachable man who had been in office for over twenty six years, after having served overseas.
'There are two kinds of science : Physics and stamp collecting'.
Lord Rutherford, Atomic scientist.
By stamp collecting, he meant the pointless collection of things, trivial observation and all kind of collection, butterflies and what not.