Settling down: Home away from Home

I arrived in Mauritius in the early August of 2013. That was the cold season and wow was it wonderful. Coming from a 'typical' tropical group of islands, I had never experienced weather lower than 28 degrees.

I walked out of the airport than late afternoon, with the cold wind blowing against my warm-weather skin and felt ecstatic to have made a safe landing, and well, very excited to see my home away from home.

The almost 2 hour drive from the airport was spent with knots in my stomach. I tried to distract myself with the scenes of sugar cane plantations and long stretches of flat-roofed houses until, we came close to the town. It was quite different from the one back home; it was filled with several story high buildings, lots of intertwined roads; that's when it dawned on me. I was no longer home. An overwhelming feeling of loneliness engulfed me as thoughts of my family back in Seychelles raced through my mind. I could phantom only one solution at that point.

I WAS GOING TO MAKE MY NEW LIVING QUARTERS A HOME.

Oh, but much to my despair that was a goal would not accomplish for a while.
Finding a place to stay in general is difficult but add to that the factor that you are in an another country with little or no acquaintances it is a lot harder. There were times when rent was too high. Times when the space was too cramped.

Two things I picked up when searching for the proper place to settle down:

• When you find the right house/apartment, the landlord is not always that nice.
• When you find that right landlord, his accommodation is not suitable for students.

My HOME away from home

I've move around 3 times in my two years of studying. Some before us, have had it worse.

That is not to say that there isn't a proper place for you to stay at when you're studying abroad. But, just a little note to self, be prepared to go through certain challenges when you've first arrived. After a while though, when you're accustomed to your new surroundings it's easier to find the "ideal" place to stay, like me!

Though it took almost a year and half, I have managed to settle down in my own cozy little space
Now, I am lodged in my small one bedroom apartment which I now call my "Home". A place which will witness the final year of my Student Sejours.

With the help of Pinterest and Cosmopolitan articles, I've customised it to be my little space. My 'home away from home'.

A story I've wanted to share for a while now

It was the first Saturday after the New Year of 2013. My friends and I met for the first time since we'd last for our a-level exams. We hadn't seen each other in while so we'd decided to have a picnic and reminisce about all the memories we'd created together. It was yet another moment being added to our repertoire of memories.
 

© My friends from back home and I taking a group photo

 There's a moment I remember quite well; we all huddled together for a group photo as we always did. "Our journey begins! Life after the a-levels!" we shouted on queue as if we'd practiced this line before coming, lifting our hands to the air.

"To whatever happens after all this! May we always cherish the memories we make from now on."

Of course we didn't know what was in store for us. We had no idea where we would be or what we would be doing, even in a few days from then.

Two weeks later, our A-level results were announced and that brought me here: To my life as an international student. The moment I was enrolled to study in Mauritius a frenzy was set in motion with little moments that I believe are worth saving, both the good and the bad.

This topic is of a personal interest to me. It's such an intense experience filled with many discoveries that I want to share with you. I've had this identity for two years now, and I can say that through my various experiences, I've made the most of it. 

There's been such a great transition during these few years.  I've made friends from Mauritius and well as many from Seychelles who were studying before me. I've been through many challenging days and euphoric ones. This journey has not been solely about broadening my textbook intelligence but making the most of this life in every way to discover myself.

There isn't a perfect handbook to detail the experience of being an international student. I'd wished for it! Others have wished for it too. I believe there never will be as, not all experiences are the same.

I wish to share with you my unique experience, in the hopes that some of you will find little things that you can relate to. Or, that you will all learn about what it is like for me as an international student.

Why The Chic Looking Girl to Represent my Blog?

My Avatar by NancyT .

Hi!

I'm going to tell you about my choice of avatar.

I chose this girl with her suitcase ready to board the plane, but also surrounded by textbooks (yes, those are textbooks) to showcase the full experience of studying abroad. This avatar reflects both my primary identity as a student who has a responsibility in her education but also as a tourist who has so much to see and enjoy during my few years studying abroad. The fact that I chose to draw it in cartoon fashion evokes the fantastical notion of being a tourist in college!

I hope you keep checking my blog for further posts. Oh, and leave comments below.