| Username |
Post |
| Brit |
Posted
on 31-Jul-02 02:00 PM
Studying Abroad !
A Dream or a Nightmare?
After first division result in S.L.C. and +2
The first question in every Nepalese student's mind after the SLC results is "Now what?" and "What am I going to do now that I've completed my SLC?" Most of us would not like to take risks with our future. Why would anyone want to study in a place where we cannot be sure of a good future, a place where politics seems to be an integral part of education? So the first thing that strikes a student is that he or she should go abroad.
Today, the trend seems to be such that Nepalese students immediately think of going out of the country in pursuit of their higher education. The more popular destinations seem to be first world countries like the United States, Britain and Australia. This thought is something that they should be proud of because Nepalese students now demand quality education and worry about their higher education and why shouldn't they?
Now, the question here is, do any of them know what their living condition is going to be abroad? Are they really sure that they will get the quality education that they want? Are Nepalese students aware of the problems and difficulties they could face abroad? Most of them just dream about going abroad and forget about the conditions they have to go through. When I was applying for University, I had no idea about what I would have to face and what I would have to live with. Unfortunately (or fortunately), I did not get the VISA.
I would have never known about the realities of living abroad if it weren't for my friend who is living abroad and is aware of the problems that Nepalese students face. He is working as well and he has experienced firsthand the struggles in trying to keep up with the lifestyle.
The few things that I have come to know as facts are that Nepalese students go abroad filled with dreams with hopes of graduating from a good university and being able to stand out from the crowd. But then, reality bites. The reality is that students have to struggle very hard to live there, working over eight hours a day to pay for their expenses live rent, food, taxes, tuition fees to name a few. We all know that it is very expensive to live in a foreign country and one cannot afford a single flat all to himself/ herself. This means that groups of seven or more people live in a cramped little room to spread the cost of the room. Unbelievable but true. Most of the students cannot continue their studies because they cannot afford to pay the fees and they end up working just to survive there. Their dreams of studying are shattered. They are in a complete dilemma as they have to deal with legal difficulties. From what I know, most students study in mushrooming private colleges, the reason being that they are much cheaper and the students don't need high academic qualifications to get admitted like demanded by government universities and colleges.
Private colleges are the ones which are run in two on three rented rooms and classes are frequently cancelled. They hardly have good or regular teachers. Most of the students already studying overseas and the ones who want to get away from the country are sent to these private agencies in Nepal who take a commission from the students for placing them in colleges. Students are lured and join these private colleges with no recognition. The students are so caught up with the thought of flying away that they don't even realize that they are being tricked. Nobody bothers to check as to what sort of a place they will be going to and afterwards, their dreams of getting a quality education just meets its tragic end.
Nepalese students abroad also have to deal with racism. They are treated more or less like immigrants who have come to work because they cannot earn enough in their own country. As most Nepalese who go there are not qualified enough for official work, they work as labour, and they have to work so hard that they become both physically and mentally weaker and still it's never quite enough. Its not that they don't earn, they earn but not enough to meet their needs. There are some who try to save for the future but they cannot afford to eat proper food and live in a good place.
The bitter facts that I've written about are just a few things that happen abroad which we do not know about. Foreign countries are not just beautiful and convenient place. It is also a very complicated place where life is very difficult.
|
| Brit |
Posted
on 31-Jul-02 02:00 PM
This article was not written to discourage young students who want to go abroad for their studies. I want them to be aware of some of the situations that they might have to face while they study there and which some of them are facing now even as you read this article. This was written to mentally prepare them for the experience. We need better counseling here for Nepalese going abroad so that they can prepare themselves in such a way that they won't regret it later, like most of them do. One of the most important things that I would like to suggest is that they should be familiar with cooking and doing their own work such as cleaning, washing and other housework. There are some who might have been brought up here without having to do anything and having all the things done by their mothers or in most cases, servants, which they will not find there.
I have come to know that it is not easy living your life abroad and I want people to be aware of this fact, because there's nothing worse than having your dreams torn apart and never getting the chance to get over it.
There are some lucky students whose parents are rich enough to support their children financially. A few lucky students even manage to get scholarships for themselves. But for most of us, we have to struggle if we want to study abroad.
This is for the parents and friends of those students who are studying abroad. There are some who understand the difficulties and it is good of them that they do so. On the other hand, there are some of us who will never learn and understand how difficult it is to work, earn, save and survive.
There are some cases I know of where there are actually some parents asking for money from their children studying abroad. Instead of asking money from your children, the first thing that I would like to tell them is to remember that their children are there to study and not to earn. I have seen a lot of students who have sacrificed their studies and work illegally just so that they can have something to send back to their parents. In my opinion, these parents should understand that the fact that these children will support them once they have completed their graduation and have the necessary qualifications.
It is not that all the students who go out of the country actually struggle like I have mentioned above. There are some who are doing very well and working in big companies. There are those who are topping their graduation and are highly successful.
Ritu & Yunush
|
| Junkie |
Posted
on 08-Aug-02 07:17 PM
Brit ..... good article but kinda long ...... I jsut skimmed thru it but this is what I was thinking all the while
"Key padhera janin chha .... ley parera". Going to an unknown land and not relying on your parents (in sharp contrast to american life style where they are groomed to be independent) is a big risk in itsself.
|
| DHUMBASSE (DUMBASS) |
Posted
on 08-Aug-02 09:11 PM
Brit,
Kahi aba tapaile bhanya kura pani thik , hamro JUNKI Bro le bhanya pani thik. Aanfu pani aba tyai padhna bhanera nai aanyeko yeha Amerika. Ajha padhna matra ho ra Computer science padhna. Aamale chahi "chorolai doctor banaunu parcha" bhannu hunthyo. Tor ta Tor ,' DOctor' hoina 'Waitor' bhaiyach. Yek arkako daju-bhai ho.Nepalko hisaple bhanda 'Beyara'. Aba tyai beyara bhaye pani nepalko hisable paisa ta ramri banuchu. paisa banaunae matrai hoina paisa gharma pani pathayer nepalko gharmathi duita talla pani thapisake aba ta. Aba yeso bichar garda, padhna bhanera aayeko ki ta deggree chahiyo , ki ta Paisa . Padahai sadhai sab yehako Gangajiko bahini Potomac Riverma lagera chadhaisakiyo. Baki rahyo paisa. aba yesai bhayena usai bhayena bhanera ghunda dhassiyera kam garda kherima waitor bhaiya cha . Ramro Town house kineku chu, Green card pani aanyo. aba ta ytai nai basai garne po bichar cha ke garne.
Aba hamro aamanle ta ramri buhari biha garaidunu parcha. panche baja bajayera, sara gaun tole lai suanayera bhannuhunthyo. "Choro le amerika bata Computer Science padhera aanye pachi ta kasto ramro ramro keti paincha yeha nepalma' bhanuu hunthyo. ke garne panche baja ta aanfu amerika aanyeko yek mahinama nai aafnai baja bajna thalihalyo ni. Ani ta uth ki bas. Basne tahu chaina. "guhar! malai bas basna de" bhanda ta kasile bal didaina yeha ta.Ulto jhandai lagera Chak ch.ik garya mero ta. " Mind your own Business, mo..ther fu..ck..er"" bhancha. Nepaliko chora, batoma basera paisa magna aafno swabhimanle diyena . ani yeso bichar garda ke kam, paincha ta bhanera herda kherima restauranko jasto ramro kam anta kahi nahune. Kinabhane teha ta degree pani chahiyena, experience pani chahiyena. Managerle " why don't you start as a Bus boy?' bhanda danga-phurunga pardai burkushi marera tray samatna gayeko hijo jasto lagcha. yehi pani bhaye bahihalcha ni bhanera kam suru gariyo. kam garya pani aba ta panch barsha bhaisakyo. ani promotion payera server bhaiyacha. Bela belama bartender pani garincha.
Aba college ko degree chahi uhi ho. yeta press ma gayera aanphaile design garera ,Bakaidako takma pani bajarbata nai kinera lyayera, Ramro sanga focus milayera Angle angle bata photo khichaunu parcha. ani jo jo ghar ma aanuchan tinlai chai tehi certificate bhittama jhundayera dekhaunuparcha. Nepal ma chahi yeuta color photocopy garera pathaidinuparcha. aanfu pani khushi aru pani khushi. Ani charchimekka manisle sodhe bhane " ho ma ta computerma nai kam garchu bhannuparcha". aba hamro restaurantma tyo computer montiorka sath rakhdiyeko cha jaha gayera chahi khana order garnuparcha, Bill print garnuparcha. Computer ma kam garya bhayena ta. Maile dhantya pani bhayena.
Aba Biha garne kurama chahi Greencard aaisakyo . Nepal jana aanuna milihalcha. aanfno ta umer jana laisakyo pheri bhanya. Talu khuilera barbad. Tyo anuharma pani chauri chauri MuJA parna thalisakyo. Nepalma ta keti haru khub painchan re greencard cha bhne pachi ta. Aba tayi Green card lai bokera jane , uta bata yeuta keti biha garera lyaune bichar garyachu. Bhagwanle kattiko sath delan Hernucha.
Aba yehaka Nepali ketiharule ta aaphulai herdai herdainan. Yetai janmeka harule ta herne kurai aayna. Dai- dai bhnachan.Aafulai kasto kasto lagcha. " yo mori har baccha chaunjel dai dai bhnachan, taruni bhayepachi chahi balnai chodchan". aba tyo Nepalbata nai padhna bhanera aanyeka katti ketiharu chan chan ni tyeso ta, Tara tiniharulai chahi yehako hawa lagya cha. Ko bhanda ko kam. Uniharulai Pakisatani ra saudi arabia ra ke- ke ho ke- ke chahincha re. Aanfu pariyo sojho nepali. sidha kam garera kamayeko paisale yiniharulai chitta bujhauna sakidaina. uh tya kahile ho yeuta nepali le nepalbatai biha garera lyayeko nepaliko chori amreika aanyeko tin barsha pachi ta logne chodera poila gaicha re pakistani sanga bhanya sunya thiye. khaii ke ho ba. khali halla matrai ho ki sacchi nai ho . aba ke kura garnu. bhayo chodidnus.
Nepal bata padhna bhanera Amerika aaunelai mero ta sallaha cha, "Paisale pugcha bhane aunu, nabhaye naaunu. Kinabhanne bholi pheri hamikaha nai aanyera"Dai yesto paryo, usto paryo , basne thau dinos" bhanchan, yek janalai sakincha dui janalai sakincha sabailai sakidaina, afno pani ta tauko lukaunai paryo ni. Ke garne. Tyeskaran, ki ta yekdamai padhna sakne, scholorship jitna sakne " Cream of the Crop' Bhay aunu, ki ta yekdamai paisa bhaye aunu. Nabhay aafnai desko mato ma halo jotera Dhindo rra Sisnoko saag khayeko sabaibhanda ramro.
No offense hai kasailai pani
Gunasho Matari garya.
Uhi dukhi DUMBASS
|
| ugly duckling |
Posted
on 08-Aug-02 10:14 PM
Dumbasse(Dumbass).... werid name!
Anyway, I would have loved to read what you wrote. Since you prefer to write in nepali, I takes me ten thousand years to read a paragraph. so I skipped. My *duckling* request to you, if you would write in english.
|
| Brit |
Posted
on 09-Aug-02 05:10 AM
Dear Dumbass dai,
Tapai ko gunaso dherai prsamsaniya cha. Mera London ka adhimkansha sathi haru ko Gunaso pani estai cha:
Few of my friends went to study in University spending 15 - 16 Lakh rupees a year only to leave it in the sophomore year to work full time. Studying in University in the UK is a dream for lots of Nepalese students in the UK as the British Universities don't give much Scholarships like in North America.
& what more as living condition of Nepalese people in the UK ain't that praiseworthy as mentioned in the article so one of the guys who has lived here for more than a decade & married for couple of years with a Nepali gal from Ktm; she also left him and moved with a punjabi. The reason being obvious; he can't satisfy her with her luxury needs; and she feels miserable living life with a Bar attender. One can hear similar stories from Nepalese people living around in London.
Your advice for all the new students willing to study abroad is very Praiseworthy. I hope they have learnt something out of your experience.
Thank you very much indeed.
Your Well Wisher.
|
| DHYANGRE |
Posted
on 09-Aug-02 01:19 PM
Brit , My life is also miserable here in Amerika. i came here to go to school about 5 years ago and now I have been working in an Indian restaurant. the only thing that is keeping me here in this Indian Restaurant is the Greencard . i have been sposored byt the owner so i have to wait until until I get the paper.
My life story resembles to Dumbasses story. Only one difference is that i got a job to work in this restaurant fairly easily and have not been evicted from the aprtment or anything like that. The school days are long gone and I do not think I will even think of going back to school until I get Green card. THen I can pay In state tuition. would be lot easier.
Some times I thought of going back to Nepal also . I used to become very home sick before but I got used to with it. Now since I am goign to get my greencard soon , i desire to become a citizen also.
My suggestion to new comers are please be prepared before you come here mentally, physically and financially. plan ahead of time.
|
| jai |
Posted
on 09-Aug-02 01:34 PM
What?
|
| ya |
Posted
on 09-Aug-02 02:54 PM
What are you talking about? Your story is completely lop-sided and misleading!
Yes, life in the U.S. is hard. But is living a life without work a better option? Studying abroad is an opportunity to expand your knowledge and experience base. It is an opportunity to do and see things that one couldn't do be back home. It is a different way of seeing life. And most importantly it is a sense of independence.
Yes I agree that it's not all sugar and honey. If you come abroad without a plan or without a goal, of course it's going to such big time! And yes, it is possible to do all this in nepal...just infinitely harder.
|
| gede |
Posted
on 09-Aug-02 10:48 PM
i don't give a shit what u're guys are talking about. i'm computer science sutudent here ihave been here almost 4 yrs my life is like a hell. no li at all but kno what iam doing here. Works full time and go to school that's the only way i can pay my fee. This s reality i don't know how long will take to finish my school but i won't givr up . No matter what. any body have prob with that?????????????
|
| Junkie |
Posted
on 10-Aug-02 04:21 PM
See Brit what I was alluding to earlier ...... our Gede bhai is a typical story of struggle of many nepali daju, bhai, didi and bainee ...... Also there are others who are working and then wroking some more just to build a "sano and pyaro" house and future of their offsprings.
Another thing that often goes unnoticed is coming to a US (dunno too much about Britain), is that ppl tend to grow intellectually inspite of the job they hold. That comes from daily interaction with "yo dawg" types to the "chillin dude" types. Having a panoramic view and being tolerant of differences is something that can't be taught but developed by experiences ......
For example, I longer agree, "hya tyo jadiya, kaam lagdaina" ..... so what if one drinks or make a big azz of himself/herself at times. Chances are that the person is serious in their study/work when it MATTERS. Another sign of growth.
As I have always maintained: "As long as one is doing their bit of work (including familial matters) or study, what one does in their spare time is no one's business. Another posiive outcome of migrating ...... BEING ABLE TO BALANCE WORK AND PLAY.
now that my free time is over ...... off to cutting vegetables that diners will enjoy later.
|
