On a cozy December night, I was walking through the city, full of possibilities, looking at those skyscrapers that scraped the heavens, dazzling lights that covered the entire street, enormous billboards, bustling crowds, and the cacophonous sounds of vibrant and ambitious people with stories of their own. The aroma of diverse foods with the scent of coffee was wafting from trendy cafes, but it was not the one that reminded me of home. There were thousands of people around, but it was nothing compared to that at home.

As I walked into a colorful subway with graffiti walls portraying scenes of local life and a digital display announcing arrival times, the metallic echoes of an approaching train resonated through the tunnels. The train had arrived. As I got on the train, a sudden rush of cool air greeted me with a bunch of unfamiliar faces. Nervously, I sat down on an empty seat by the window, my gaze fixed on the rapidly changing scenery outside as I recalled the night before when I was balling my eyes out and saying goodbye to my family. Gazing outside the window, missing home, I soaked in the fact that life is unpredictable. We will never know how the roads are until we walk through them.

Suddenly, the train stopped. A girl entered our train and sat on the seat right in front of me. She was carrying big baskets of gifts, which seemed like Christmas gifts. It was a festive season in the States. “Thanks for the presents, mom. I love you,” she said to her mom on the phone. It led me to another thought on how the word “love” holds different meanings around the world.

Most of us come from Asian households and aren’t verbally loving. It might sound funny, but I don’t ever recall my parents saying that they loved me. Does that mean my parents don’t love me? Not at all. I remember my dad working hard from the morning until the evening to feed the family. My mom, who left her job to take care of me and my brother, and both of my parents have always fulfilled our needs without fulfilling theirs. They have never said no to my dreams. Moreover, they have supported me through everything, and for me, that is what love is. Family is everything; they are our support system. Love always doesn’t have to be verbal or physical; the way of expressing love is unique to every household.

As my mind was racing with all these thoughts, with a gradual deceleration, the train smoothly came to a stop. I had reached my destination. I stood up and began to walk out. The subway was full of ambient noise from conversations and footsteps, and the time announcement created a vibrant harmony of urban life. “What a thoughtful train ride,” I said to myself.

The word “I” represents thousands of youth escorting their way to a foreign land, chasing after their dreams. Each year, millions of students depart from their homes and families, searching for possibilities overseas. For some, it might be a dream, but for others, it is a necessity. It is a dream to achieve quality education, personal growth, and independence, and for some, it is a necessity to meet the needs of their family. In 2022, more than 125,000 Nepali students went abroad, with most opting to study in Australia, Japan, India, and the United States, but the numbers are predicted to get higher in the upcoming year.

While many people vouch for staying back in the country, I believe going abroad is a great way to immerse oneself in diverse cultures and learn among students with unique backgrounds. Students get to learn from renowned professors and access resources. The ability to navigate through different cultures and embrace diversity is a skill students develop that goes beyond academic learning. Through challenges and hardships, the students can broaden their perspectives and embrace various cultures. So, rather than discouraging students from going overseas, the focus should be on alluring them to return home.

By: Swastika Khatiwada (Science, C1)

“Through difficult experiences, life sometimes becomes more meaningful.” – Dalai Lama.

The article is about the challenges and hardships that we face overseas through which we learn meaningful life lessons.