It has become a trend among the youths in the present time to venture out to different places away from home for further studies or in the hope of better job opportunities. Leaving home for a new home away from home is accompanied by sundry challenges and adjustments that the individual requires to make. I am one of those who travelled thousands of miles from home to have a better learning opportunity from one of the top colleges in the country. Landing in a new place for the first time was quite amusing initially but the first challenge that I faced was the weather. From where I come is chilly almost throughout the year but my new home was way warmer which was why I had to visit my new friend, the shower several times a day. Most of the time after the shower, I would have another natural shower from my sweat. Another bigger challenge was food. Since I was staying in a hostel, the food was prepared as per the taste of the locals which was the opposite of what I usually eat and what I prefer. Blessed with a very sensitive stomach, I would have digestion problems due to the drastic change in food habits. There are days when I would burst into tears while talking with my dear ones back home because I missed home food and I’d wish to give anything for my mom’s dish. Talking about my mom, staying so far meant getting to see my family only after a year. Staying in a hostel was not so much of a problem for me since I stayed in a residential school from my childhood but the challenging part not being able to meet them for a very long gap. There is a phone but seeing them in person, being able to hold them, and being able to talk and laugh in person is so much more. One very important thing that I had to do was being responsible when it comes to my health, pocket money, and academics. There are days where I would break down and I’d wish to drop my course and go back home but then I had friends who would remind me of my parents, their expectation, and also that I have a goal to achieve for which I should strive hard come what may.
It’s been 2 years since I started going to college. I am a person who is around you all and makes friends with everyone. I am a normal human being just as anyone. You will never know my pain until you are my best friend. Until that time good luck in finding me.
I am Neha (Name Changed) from Gujarat. I was born and raised in family of 6 children and I am the 2nd. From a young age I was made to learn all the chores of a woman to cook, to sweep, to go for shopping to take care of a man and a lot of others. I was sent to a school thankfully till my 6th standard and then I had to leave because there was no one to take care of my siblings at home and mom could not do all the work at home. I was not enjoying the work but then I had to do it.
When I was about the age of 10 my classmates bullied me, they were making fun of me because I was fat and was not able to run or play outdoor games. I got addicted to smoking and alcohol at a very young age. I was put out of 2 schools in my 8th after which I completed 8 to 10 in 2 other schools.
