As I was landing in Canberra, I was day-dreaming that I am going to do something unusual, I was over-excited.
The Australian National University is a great place to build a future. I was getting used to efficiently operate a Laptop(!), Ms-office tools as well as writing reports and plans. Most of the work was online and the classrooms were digital. It was exciting and I was happy that I got a chance to educate in an advanced uni. Often, while studying at ANU, I remembered my school and college classes in my hometown and thought how can I share my experiences, knowledge and educate those who still didn’t get a chance to see a computer, operate a gadget and use a pen and a book to study. I also thought of those girls whose parents cut their wings and didn’t allow them to fly.
Getting used to the new city, my initial excitement was lowered. It was my very first time to leave my home to study abroad. Directly from a semi-urban town, I shifted to a capital city in another country!
I became depressed and homesick. I never left my home before, except for holidays. I was badly struggling to cope-up with this new atmosphere, culture, climate, study, food and new everything. Sometimes, I also thought, “was it a wrong decision to come here?” I was alone I would cry everyday, I wanted to go home in my comfort zone. But it was not easy to go back. No one knew how badly I was struggling, in the other world out there everyone was proud and happy for me. They said I was lucky to have this opportunity.
The doors to go back home were closed, and my aim was to prove myself. Hence, the only option was to Fight, Sustain and be Positive.
I chose to fight my weaknesses. I became adaptive to everyday situations and accepted all the challenges. It was hard but possible. I found a part-time job and that made me a more mature person. I did the jobs which I would never ever do in my home country. I cleaned the public toilets, I worked as a kitchen-hand, I was a wait staff and served the customers in a restaurant and was happy to get a tip for good service. I ate good food when I got extra money. Life was not easy but I was learning to deal with it. Sometimes I was treated well, sometimes it was just a lesson for me. And everyone in my home country except my parents thought I am fully enjoying in Australia, but they didn’t know what challenges I faced everyday.
I got used to this routine and the days were passing. I improved day by day and managed my work-life balance. I now take the Fight option in any challenges that I face.
All these experiences have made me a good human being today. I would never ever learn to lead my own life if I had chosen the Flight option.
Have you ever been in a Fight or Flight option in your life?