October 3, 2024. It's been exactly 3 years since I moved to Europe. I still remember very clearly the flight to Frankfurt & the excitement of a brand new journey as I boarded my first DB train to Berlin. My first time travelling abroad. A big step for someone who'd never stepped out of India. My senses were overwhelmed by the newness of it all & the uncertainty of how all this was going to turn out.
Fast forward 3 years. Been to 20 countries. Learnt a new language. Did a Double Masters in 2 EU countries. Lived in multiple countries. Worked in 2 EU companies & an American one that's among the biggest 5 worldwide. Met hundreds of people, many of whom I consider great friends today. To this day I continue to learn new things, see new sights, explore new horizons. Is it possible to live decades worth of experiences in just 3 years? Maybe it is, when you live the life you'd always dreamt of.
People tell me quite often "Oh it's easy for you", "if anyone will make it, it's you". I'm flattered by the kind words & confidence (I swear, others have more confidence in my abilities than I do). Nevertheless, it's not easy to keep hitting your goals. Never will be. But it's so much fun to hit the targets. Execution brings excitement.
However, behind every successfully executed piece of an expat's journey is a mountain of work. You must do it even when you hate it. If you don't, you will lose it all. Stress, anxiety, hopelessness, depression, pessimism, nihilism. It's all there. Doesn't make it's way to Instagram. We show our happy, successful, euphoric persona here. But there's a lot of solitary toil in the darkness before you get to bask in the sunshine. My dad says "there is no alternative to hard work". Following his words has helped me come far. I am not talented. What I excel in is relentlessly working hard. I still fail to show up daily. I need to do better. I will.
If you made it this far, you've probably played a big part in my journey. Thank you for being there. I appreciate you. A lot. Here's a cookie for reading 🍪 (I love cookies 🤪)
Pictures are from (in order): Switzerland, Italy, Serbia, Sweden, France, Greece, Poland, Slovakia, Austria, Germany. #europe
I'll always remember the wonderful year I spent in Poland. The end of my stay in Warsaw was quite anti-climactic but I guess that's how life goes sometimes. I could fill a book with the experiences I've had in Poland. The highs have been transcendentally epic while the lows have been quite soul crushing. But I wouldn't change a thing. Let us leave the lows for another time and focus on the positives, of which there were many.
In many aspects Poland is a very misunderstood country. The nation is filled with warm hearted, considerate and intelligent people who do not partake in the politics of hate that a vocal minority preaches. My Polish friends, my Polish professors at uni and almost all the other Poles I've met across my travels have treated me with nothing but the utmost respect and kindness. Whenever I had any trouble I could turn to them for help and when it comes to partying, you shouldn't count out the Pole, as I've learnt quite well ;)
As an Indian I can understand the need for Polish pride. When you've been subjugated for hundreds of years it is imperative to reclaim your national identity and trust me, an Indian understands that better than some of the other Europeans who'll criticize you for it. However, it's important to remember that this sentiment can be weaponized, as has been done so often back where I come from. Pride is essential and it is useful when it is leveraged to make yourself better, your community better and your fellow human better. Over time that will build a better and stronger Poland and a better world.
To my Polish friends reading this, I'm sure the thought of tomorrow is weighing heavily on your minds. 15.10.2023. The 2023 Parliamentary Elections are finally here. I know the situation is dire and some even told me that fighting is futile. However, I urge you to keep fighting for what you believe in. The world won't change tomorrow but if you do your part and set a good example for those around you, you'll inspire the trickle of change that turns, over time, into a rising tide.
Powodzenia Polsko.
Do następnego razu.
Do widzenia.
Sometimes in life you get to experience something that doesn't really seem real when you've been living through it. It's only when you have some introspective self reflection of the memories shaped by the summer sun that it really hits you. Yeah. It really was real. I haven't dreamt about it. I did get to spend two weeks with a group of humans that I grew to deeply cherish. We started as strangers but were inseparable by the end. Yes, we really did create all those beautiful moments together.
Nestled in a castle for two weeks in a remote corner of South Eastern Austria I disconnected from my regular life. I would often walk across the picturesque castle and wonder if I'm really there, a place so far removed from my home across the oceans. Only after it ended did I realize what it meant to me. It felt like the daily drudgery of stark difficulties as an expat in a foreign continent was suspended for a moment in a flurry of warmth, sunshine and happiness in our castle atop a hill.
A castle where we crafted a colorful kaleidoscope of everlong memories through the arduous lectures, delectable dishes, charming conversations and awesome adventures (albeit, interspersed with a few dips in the cool waters of the castle pool). Thank you to all of you my dear friends for making these moments so memorable. I shall dearly miss you all and maybe we'll meet again. Sometime. Somewhere. Someday.
Auf wiedersehen, Schloss Seggau.
#austria #summerschool #seggaucastle #leibnitz #maribor #slovenia #gusegg #graz #austria🇦🇹 #forevermemories
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A bit of glee 🙃
Nope, I'm not getting married.
I just went to one for influencer blessing. Yes, that's a thing. DM for hourly rate.
#throwback #india #indiatrip #justme #wedding #notmywedding
Completed 1 year in Europe.
It has been the craziest experience of my life so far. Made so many new friends, created so many amazing memories, visited so many different countries in just 365 days. Thank you dear friends for making my time here special and so eventful. Today wasn't the best day but shit happens sometimes. Regardless, I am super grateful for everything. Couldn't have ever imagined the beautiful life I'm living today. It isn't always easy, but it is always worth it.
Can't wait for the next 365 :)
My trip to Serbia has been 9 years in the making. Could fill a book with all that I learnt, maybe someday I will. A truly misunderstood country filled with people with big hearts. The Serbs were shaped by the immense pain they underwent through centuries of war and devastation. The scars run deep and some wounds are still fresh. I encourage all of you to visit Serbia. I promise you'll be surprised. And enlightened.
#serbia #serbiatravel #serbia🇷🇸 #novisad #petrovaradin #petrovaradinfortress #belgrade #travel #indianineurope #visitserbia
We live myriad lives
Satisfying our drives
Imbued with meaning
All that we're dreaming
But so often what we hoped
Is by stern reality choked
By the winds they are blown
Turning in the end, to stone.
#berlin #jewishmemorial #holocaust #germany #monochromatic #mono
No, I didn't get a job here. But being invited to present to a group of consultants is reason enough to get this photo taken and flex on here a little bit. Fun Friday.
#pwc #pwcdeutschland #indianingermany #indianinberlin #indianineurope #presentation #consulting #restructuring #esg #tuberlin
Acquiring adequate skills to behave like a proper diva. Please form an orderly queue for the autographs.
#videoshoot #video #acting #indianingermany #indianinberlin #indianineurope #indian #berlinerlife🇩🇪 #escp #escpeurope #bluefactory #incubator #actor #funvideo
