It has only been a year and a half since I lived outside India. However, I am ready to share my initial thoughts on residing outside India.
The first month in Austin was exciting. I was meeting new people, adjusting to a new place, and getting to know the city and its culture. I was fascinated by almost everything I was seeing around me. People were finally obeying rules; the sky was clear & blue and wasn't filled with smog; no one was trying to scam me, and random strangers were genuinely helpful.
However, a sense of longing crept in as the novelty wore off. I started missing India. Family, friends, and food were the things that I missed the most. It wasn't as if I wasn't getting along with my new friends. Still, a unique warmth and familiarity were missing, something that had always enveloped me back home. Surprisingly, I even found myself missing things I used to complain about in India. The quiet streets of Austin seemed too silent compared to the lively bustle of Delhi. The absence of those little quarrels and fights on the streets made life seem too orderly. Even the fashion here, initially refreshing in simplicity and casualty, started to feel monotonous. Everyone seemed to dress uniformly – white sneakers, shorts, and t-shirts. Why does no one switch things up?
When I returned to India, I was excited to finally meet people, have fantastic food, and experience the familiar chaos. I wanted be at 'peace' now that I was home. But what happened was that I started comparing things in India with stuff in the US. The disregard for rules, the constant noise, and the overcrowded Delhi metro, which I once navigated with ease, now overwhelmed me. I also got cold and cough immediately after landing in Delhi because of the hazardous air quality. All of it was a jarring realization—my perception had altered. I had gone soft.
This internal conflict has made me ponder the complexity of belonging and adapting. It's intriguing how living abroad reshapes one's perspective, making you appreciate certain aspects of your homeland and critical of others.
Now, when people ask where I want to settle, I honestly don't know. Things are too uncertain right now. The visa situation complicates things, but if I had a choice and no constraints, I'd love to return to India after a while, maybe in the mountains, away from the big cities and people. But at the same time, I wouldn't mind staying outside if things work out professionally and personally.
In a nutshell, living abroad is more than just changing locations—it's a journey of self-discovery. I look forward to more years in Austin and the US, gaining new perspectives and figuring out what feels like home.
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