JOIN USThere are many expatriate students, studying in various colleges across the City, and for them Bengaluru is an unexplored maze of wonder.
Whether it’s the weather, food, shops or education, they find many surprises along the way. Be it a cow relaxing in the middle of the road, the heavy flow of traffic or some spicy foods, there is a lot the City has to offer to these newcomers.
A few expat students spoke to ‘Metrolife’ about there shift to Bengaluru and the journey they have been on so far.
Safety issues
Yoon-Ji Lee is a native of South Korea and is in her final-year BCA with Indian Academy Degree College.
She says, “I live here with my brother, and the two of us along with a couple of our friends always hang out together. Since we live away from home, our parents are always worried. I find the City safe but I still don’t step out at night and even if I do, I prefer to return before it is dark. Safety of women has always been an issue and I don’t like to take a chance. But we are enjoying the camaraderie here.”
Experiencing the best
Mack, a native of Republic of Congo, moved to Bengaluru in 2012 and is in his second-year LLB at CMR College of Law.
He says, “I don’t find the City very safe and I don’t venture out alone anywhere. People are warm in Bengaluru but the place and the people are alien to me. We always hang out in a large group because the City has a lot of places of interest and I don’t want to miss out on experiencing the best of what it has to offer.”
Smitten by spice
Monkeo Kong Many is a native of Laos and is doing his third-year BBM at Indian Academy Degree College. He came to the City four years ago.
“I hang out with my friends a lot after college and we explore the City and its various facets. I love food in whatever form and I never shy away from trying out different cuisines. A lot of expats have a problem with the spicy food but I seem to have taken to spicy food very well. The quality of life and education is very good in Bengaluru,” he says.
Avid explorer
Tamir is from Mongolia and is currently pursuing his final-year BCA with Indian Academy Degree College. He says that he has always been a travel freak and continues to explore the places in and around Bengaluru.
“I chose Bengaluru for its education because I found that everybody who has studied here have found themselves a good job. I never miss a chance to explore the tourist destinations in and around Bengaluru. I also love the City for its food, especially the way ‘butter chicken’ is made here,”she says.
The freedom to express
Nicole Kavugho was born and raised in Congo and lived there for most of her life, until she decided to move to Bengaluru, three years ago, in search of better educational opportunities.
Currently in her final-year BSc in Biotechnology, CMRIMS, she says, “Education is cheaper here. I would like to return to educate the less fortunate in my country. We have been lucky to get education here and live in good surroundings. The college has taken extra effort to make sure the expat community feels at home. We have the freedom to walk up to our teachers and share our problems with them.”