A different place from home

Rauha Ndapopishiwa Hamatwi



India has its own blessing upon international students. Who doesn’t like to be treated well in a foreign land? You get that privilege as a student out here, and if you love adventure, believe me you will get to enjoy every bit of it.

Travelling for the first time outside the shores of my motherland, far away from home, its familiarities, comfort and unconditional love, life in India is different and difficult. It is a whole new experience living in a new environment as well as adjusting to many things including educational system. Every mood is very specific and it’s not easy to digest particularly food has lot of spicy flavour and ‘masala’. I needed time to get used to it. Therefore I struggled in many aspects such as communication barriers, but I was quick to fall in love with India due to its beautiful weather, huge flyover in a big city, experience in a metro, auto, clothing (saris), jewellery, Indian weddings and colourful festivals.

Being away from home I’ve missed my family and friends and it has been hard to indulge. Homesickness will come from time to time especially when things are hard on you, life as a student has been a roller coaster and the biggest challenge is how you control these feelings and hide it from your room mate (others) and being strong.

Therefore, I have realised that taking a decision to come abroad and study is not only about pushing your limits and venturing beyond your comfort zone but also learning and finding yourself. Studying in a place like Bangalore is an enriching experience because it forces you to adapt to things that are unfamiliar and unusual to you. You become independent and open to new, exciting, or terrifying challenges that you would never have encountered in your home country and that is the most rewarding of all; the opportunity to learn and develop as a person because you will discover things about yourself that you may not have known before; your beliefs, your passions, your character.

Through interacting within a foreign society, your eyes will be open to all sorts of aspects of life that would be difficult to learn in your native country (Namibia). Bangalore being the silicon valley of India, you get to feel special here because opportunities keep coming to you and there are IT lecturers who are willing to offer training at a lower price and I would say that I have learnt much in terms of IT, electronics etc. Moreover there is an organisation called FISAB (Federation of international students association Bangalore). I took it upon myself to become part of FISAB as it offers a platform so beneficial to international students. You just need to focus on your dreams and work hard.

“The beauty of the world lies in the diversity of its people and that what makes us unique.” I have acquired exposure I’m sure I wouldn’t have had if I hadn’t been in India and have equally expanded my horizons exponentially. In India I love the phenomenon of almost zero secularism and diversity in culture and food. Even the smallest community has a temple, mosque and a church.

Therefore, it’s called incredible India. I have been lucky enough to observe and understand cultures, people and the world. Having friends that come from all around the world is not that only pretty cool trust me it’s an amazing feeling for lifetime. Here friendship takes time to develop and once you get to someone better, friendship built is much stronger. I have experienced lots of things but my stay with local families and friends beyond boundaries with endless support it made me feel more like an insider to their culture. Finally, I have learnt and adopted Indian skills and culture. I believe that this is the best phase of life to practice who we actually are. I brought myself in! I did not change myself or my culture rather I represented where I came from because the more ethnic you are the more respected and adored you will be. I stay true to myself.

Did you know?

*It is one of the premier educational institutions in India

*It is accredited by NAAC with an A grade

*It is a part of Association of Indian Universities (AIU) and Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU)

*It is recognised by University Grants Commission (UGC)

* It has two campuses -Central College and Jnana Bharathi campus



Fun facts:

* I love playing volleyball and I’m pretty good at it.

* I can’t swim.

* I can multi-task really well

* I have started liking light coffee, tea remains the addiction anyways. I think I make the best tea.

* I own more than 18 pairs of converse All-stars. I love shoes.

* The first thing I notice in someone is their footwear.