GALWAY LIVING

Goodbye Mumbai, Hello Galway: My Leap into Life Abroad

This story starts in December 2021, when the entire world was slowly starting to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, and falling into a new “normal” of social distancing, Zoom Meetings, and frequent hand-washing. After years of yearning for a fresh start in a new country, the time to get serious about these dreams was getting frighteningly closer, and I still had important decisions to make.

In the midst of juggling online lectures, a rekindled passion for art, and some serious end-of-adolescent age emotional instability, I sat down at the dinner table with my dad and had “the talk”. Research into universities and scholarships needed to be done; decisions needed to be made. We settled on Canada, following in the footsteps of millions of other Indian students. Though, after a few (too many) visits to the IDP Education Centre, it was clear that I wouldn’t be booking a flight to Canada anytime soon, no matter how much my half-assed plan to escape India was riding on it. And so there I was again, off scouring the Internet for viable alternatives as deadlines for applications was fast approaching.

While life in Ireland now feels like something I was destined for, I would be lying if I said I wasn’t plagued with uncertainty when dad first strolled into my room with a laptop in his hand, eager to show me how this beautiful country full of lush green lands, spice bags, and pints of Guinness would be the perfect place for me.

You know how it goes next – Research universities and programs, look for scholarships (so you don’t bankrupt your parents who were generous enough to fund your education), inquire about consultants near you, and finally explore the student life so you can have fresh material for the imaginary scenarios before bedtime.

From contacting GoIreland to straighten out the application procedure, writing four Statements of Purpose to appease the Admissions Lords, and monitoring the application portals daily, to finally receiving the acceptance letter from the University of Galway on a random afternoon – my life changed forever.

2022 was already off to a better start than… well my entire life since I hit puberty. I had a brand new remote job working as a Content Editor, my artistic capabilities had improved significantly, if I may say so myself, and I had secured a spot in the Master of Arts in English program at a prestigious university. What more could I have asked for?

Over the next few months I struggled to find the right balance between making time for my job, running around my university campus to get my official transcripts, and raiding every clothing and beauty store in Mumbai to prepare myself for life abroad. I may have slightly overpacked, but when my best friend needed double sided fashion tape that following Halloween, I felt a twinge of pride in my carefully curated shopping list.

However, the reality of uprooting your entire life is never quite as you’ve imagined it. Was I truly prepared to leave my friends and family behind? Sure, WhatsApp is a fantastic innovation for quick connections worldwide, but a video call couldn’t replace the feeling of laying down on your grandmother’s lap as she stroked your hair and asked you about your day. Could a text every now and then truly make up for the pure joy you feel when you’re sitting in a café with your friends, gossiping about the one person you all collectively hate as you sip on overpriced iced coffees?

Two and a half years later, I can say that finding the right balance to maintain these important relationships in your life is difficult, but possible. But you will never overcome the overwhelming desire for some fresh Samosas or Desi Chinese. WhatsApp can connect you to your loved ones, but nothing can fill the void left by greasy, slightly questionable street food.

Through the highs and lows of my hard launch into the (not so) glamorous 20s, I have learnt some important lessons about life, friendship, love, and bread expiration dates. You’re welcome to join this crazy ride I call life as I navigate these relationships and pour my heart out into this tiny corner of the Internet as a way to avoid paying money to a licensed therapist.