Far, far away from my Island Home

by Juliana Rex (India)

A leap into the unknown India

Who would ever dream of leaving their island home to a big city, a land far far away across the Pacific Ocean to the Indian Ocean? Well, this happened to be my story when I was given a scholarship from my college in Papua New Guinea to pursue a masters degree in India. Leaving home was the saddest thing especially when hearing mum's voice on the cell-phone crying ontop of her voice. The atmosphere felt so overwhelming as I looked through the window at the Jacksosn's international Airport. Waiting for the booarding call, the warm air in the scotching heat gave me a sense of relief that everything would be alright. When the time came to depart, my heart sank. The feeling of loneliness and insecurity started to cripple my head. For one moment, I thought, where on earth am I going to? Looking down from the plane's window seeing the vast ocean, tears started rolling down my cheeks. Everything happened so fast that I was already a thousand miles away from home. The next day, I arrived in Singapore to wait for my next flight to India. The airport was so crowded and so busy. People walking here and there, children crying, young lads laughing ontop of their voices, lights beaming, cleaners mopping the floor. All these was happening before my very eyes, where am I? I thought. I didn't know anyone and I had no one to talk to. I walked along the corridors, looking at the arrows that showed some directions. Eye-shopping in the malls gave me some sense of relief at the same time searching for hotels to rent for the night. No hotel wanted me in, it was devastating and the night was already approaching. I had no place to rest, no one to talk to, I had to keep walking around in circles until the next day. When the shops in the malls closed, I was sitting on the side walk-way and somehow I fall into a deep sleep. After some hours of sleep, I slowly opened my eyes and to my surprise, it was already day light and people were everywhere around me waiting for the metro-train to go to the other terminal. Was I dreaming? I thought to myself. It was really happening. With eyes still closed, I rushed into the washroom and got reshened up. Now, the world was clear to see through my two little eyes. I was ready to board my flight to India. It was the best feeling ever! On the flight, we were served with the most delicious meal by the Singaporean Airlines. Looking out the window, it was already dask, I could see lights over the horizon and I knew I will soon reach my destiny. After six long hours of flight, we arrived at Ahmedabad International Airport. It was a great experience but I had a mix feeling if there was someone waiting for me outside or not. It was 10pm, the cool breeze ran through my body, I was calm, I was at ease. Following the crowd, I looked outside to where the people who came to wait for their families were standing. It was so crowded and taxi drivers were screaming out loud for passengers. I walked out feeling little afraid hoping there was someone waiting for me. I stoodby for sometime and just looked around. For awhile, I saw a lady holding up the institute's name in the middle of the crowd. I almost cried seeing her, quickly I ran towards her and asked her if she was waiting for someone going to that institute and she replied in a happy voice, "I came to wait for you". I burst out into tears! It was the best moment ever arriving into a new place with no family nor friends waiting for you, it was this lady from my institute waiting for me. She took me on the institute vehicle 45mins drive to the campus. I initially didn't know that it was going to be my home for the next four years, but it did! Now, I am soon to graduate and leave for my island home back to the Pacific Ocean.