Moving thousands of miles away from home may seem daunting, especially if it's the first time and truthfully, it was. This decision took lots of careful considerations, convincing conversations and the courage to embrace a new culture. It was a decision that would redefine my sense of belonging and deepen my affection for my parents and friends.
I'll be sharing my entire journey which was like a rollercoaster full of emotions. So sit back and enjoy!
From Engineering to Business?
After completing my bachelors in engineering I was like, "What now?" Seeing everyone no matter what they studied get hired as software developers, I started losing interest in Engineering. The idea of spending my days solely "punching" code into a computer screen did not resonate with me. Having skills that span across a wide area anmd a natural talent for problem solving, I decided to give Business Administration a go.
"We have lots of colleges, why not study Business here?"
This was a question that I kept hearing for a long time and quite often when I decided to move abroad and pursue higher education. Yes, there are lots of good colleges in India but there were several things that were deterring me from pursuing my education here.
Getting into a reputable college is tough! Even if I managed to get a respectable score, high school grades are also taken into consideration for getting a seat and my high school was rough (The passing marks were playing hide-and-seek with me!).Why would you need high school grades for Masters?
Educational disparities among students. Now this one falls more towards the political side but it's something that bothers me a lot. The cutoffs for students from disadvantaged castes are notably lower. While this was a commendable initiative to uplift them in the past, why would you need this today? Especially given the various incentives available to them.
I wanted to gain international exposure, step out of my comfort zone and push myself to the limit. The Indian education system tends to emphasize theories, but in the realm of business, practical knowledge holds greater significance. It's a style of learning that resonates with me and one I find truly engaging.
Let's be honest. The most important reason was to earn more! I wanted to get properly compensated for the amount of work I do. And in India, work-life balance doesn't exist in anyone's dictionary.
Please, Please, Pleaseee! Can I go?
Next big challenge was convincing my parents. This was harder than the VISA process itself. Venturing far from home, particularly without a familiar face nearby, was no small feat. Considering the pandemic circumstances, their concerns were entirely valid. It took me over four months of constant reassurance to convince them that I would be alright and that they didn't have to worry. An immense sense of relief washed over me when they finally agreed. However, of course there was a caveat, "You'll return if your health becomes an issue!"
While some might label it as overprotective and might not like this behaviour, I'm truly grateful for having such a loving family. Love you guys!
Oh Sh**, I Forgot One Document
Now all I had to do was gather all my documents and apply for visa. It would've been straightforward and smooth, if I hadn't forgotten my final secondary school's original certificate (In my defense, it was nowhere mentioned that I had to provide the original secondary school certificate!). As a result, my entire visa process took around 2 days.
I'm certain you can discover a more detailed and up-to-date guide on the visa process from official sources. Here are some of them which you can refer:
Once I submitted all my documents, all I had to do was wait for my passport to arrive at my home.
Stay Strong! Boys Don't Cry..
Finally, the long-anticipated day had arrived, and it was a deeply emotional one. Having prepared my belongings the day before, I had some free time in the early morning. I tried to keep my mind occupied by playing video games, attempting to ward off any negative thoughts. But as the time passed, I knew I couldn't evade the inevitable. I spent precious moments with my family, embracing them tightly. I had maintained my compsure all along but as I was about to leave, one glance at my family and I broke (I'm emotional okay!).
All the way from home to airport, my eyes were full of tears. As I was in the process of checking in, I was informed that my friends were there to bid me farewell. I pleaded with the security guard to allow me to meet them. Miraculously, he understood the depth of the situation and granted me that precious moment. At least this time I managed to control my tears.
Travelling Solo, Yay!
You have no idea how relaxing it was when I got rid of those heavy bags! My flight stretched for about 16 hours, with a single layover scheduled in Frankfurt. As I settled into my seat, I browsed through the movies available in the onboard entertainment system. One word of advice.. Avoid music! Somehow music apps can magically detect that your'e feeling low and bombard you with all the sad songs ever created.
I don't remember much as I was asleep most of the time. Upon reaching Frankfrut, I had a layover of 5 hours. I knew if I sit idle, I'd start feeling homesick. Just when I needed it most, my savior showed up! My friend telepathically knew what was going on and accompanied me during the entire duration of the layover. I'm sure she had lots of other important things to do but still chose to accompany me. Her mere presence gave me strength and it meant a lot to me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
It was early in the next morning and time to catch the next flight. We had so much fun together, that I completely lost track and barely made it to the gate on time.
Hellooo Germany!
Excitement, joy, confusion, various emotions were flowing inside my head when I finally touched down. My first instinct was to connect with my family and my friend, letting them know of my safe arrival. Yet, amidst this whirlwind of emotions, my main focus was on reaching the place where I'd be staying.
Stepping out of the airport, a huge gust of cold wind took me by surprise. I knew it was going to be cold but didn't expect it to be that much!! Before heading out, I had downloaded an app called 'Jelbi', designed to streamline the process of navigating the city's public transportation system in a user friendly interface. Maybe it was my first time using the app, maybe it was the cold weather, or both! But I got so confused using the app. I had no idea which bus to take.
There was a bus stationed nearby but I was kinda embarassed to ask for help. I guess the kind-hearted bus driver sensed my uncertainty and graciously extended a helping hand. Funnily enough, that was the bus I was supposed to get on! Stepping onto that bus as I headed towards my apartment, it marked the commencement of my life in Germany.
Remember To Never Lose Hope
As you venture out of your comfort zone and explore new areas, you start realising the importance of people in your life. I used to think that as long as I immerse myself in the digital world, human presence would be unnecessary. Oh how wrong I was. While technology serves its purpose, it is the warmth, wisdom, and encouragement of human beings that truly bolsters your resolve and in doing so.
I'm glad to be surrounded by amazing people. You are as well! Don't try too hard looking for them, best relationships emerge naturally.