'I don't understand why schools charge donations'

Maria Chumak’s tryst with India began almost ten years ago. Her first visit to the country in 2004 was more of a bumpy ride! As she got out of the airport in Mumbai, her first reaction was that of shock.

“I remember landing in Mumbai which was so humid. When I stepped out of the airport, there were many people sleeping on the streets. I had never witnessed something like that before. What struck me was that with just a sheet for themselves, they seemed so happy and content,” says the lady, who hails from Paris, France. It was at that moment that she started counting her blessings.

“I realised how fortunate some of us are. Back in Europe, people are too spoilt and quarreling all the time.” In 2011, when a job opportunity in Bangalore came knocking, Maria decided to take the plunge. Today, two years down the line with changes in jobs, she says moving to Bangalore has been a decision she has never regretted. 

 However, Maria’s memory of those sleeping on the streets is so strong even today that she is quick to answer back expats who complain about the nagging problems of the City. “I’m quite sharp with them. I tell them that the airport is 40 kilometres away and that they can take the next flight back to their country,” she says disapprovingly. She adds, “That’s why I’m not fond of connecting with the expat community here.”

A faculty member at L’institut superieur des art appliques (LISAA) School of Design, Maria enjoys working with the students. “The institute follows the French curriculum, which is what I know best. I am really enjoying my time here,” she says. Appreciating the students, Maria says, “What I like here is the respect students show towards their teachers. From my years in teaching, I find that the student-teacher relationship is the best here,” she says.

“But sometimes, students tend to be late to class or a little lazy. But I’m quite strict with them and ensure that they work hard.”

Maria, who has had her share of problems in the City, elaborates on the three main ones that she finds herself constantly dealing with. “It begins at the Foreigner Regional Registration Office which is a nightmare. And then there is a problem with housing. While some landlords want a deposit of ten months at one go, others don’t entertain foreigners. I’ve had some real bad experiences,” she rues. She goes on to add, “I don’t understand why schools charge donations. Along with that, most of them want the annual payment at one go which can get difficult.”

But Maria says even with these problems, what makes her happy is that her children have never faced any discrimination here. “They have a lot of Indian friends and are very happy. During a visit to Thailand, we had an unpleasant experience because my children are of mixed blood,” she says. “This is the reason, I want them to grow up here,” she adds. Maria says that although the family enjoys Indian food, they have one grouse. “It’s too spicy sometimes. In fact, the first word my children learnt in English was spicy,” she laughs. The vegetarian family often eats rice, paratha, daal, vada and palak paneer.

The family, which enjoys travelling, finds Goa the best place in the country. “That’s the place we’ve frequented the most. We also enjoy visiting Pondicherry,” she says. While in Bangalore, they visit the National Gallery of Modern Art, Jaaga and other arty places often. “There is a need for some more activity centres in Bangalore. If there are theatres for kids across the City, that will be great,” she suggests. Some
of the restaurants that they visit are ‘Gramin’ and ‘Little Tibet’.

Having lived in France, Russia and Saudi Arabia, Maria speaks French, Russian and Arabic besides English and Spanish. And now she is keen to learn Hindi. “Since Bangalore is a cosmopolitan city, I feel it is better to learn Hindi over Kannada. I bought a book — ‘Learn Hindi In 30 Days’ — but it’s been lying on the table for 90 days now,” she signs off.