As if studying in a world-class university isn’t an experience enriching enough, that it is in Ireland, the country that reminds you of your roots and also opens itself up to discovery, makes it priceless

many more popular European countries, might seem a little strange. I mean, why go to a country relatively unheard of, when most academically-inclined students flock to the UK and the US? A majority of the students don’t consider Ireland as an option because, not surprisingly, it’s a matter of pride for parents to say, “Hamara beta toh ji London mein padhta hai”.

Somehow, in India, it’s a trend to go to places that are heard of and talked about in elite social circles. It’s not the same for me — I’ve always wanted to go to places less commercial, less advertised and, hence more real, fresher.

At the same time, it has been my aspiration to not just study abroad but also to experience new cultures and experience a different way of life. At first, it did seem like a daunting decision, I confess. I thought I was falling for a trap and choosing a place based on what was popular. I was torn between studying in England and Ireland. In the end, however, Ireland it was. This decision was made easier because I was offered a scholarship. I got even luckier when I was enrolled into one of the most sought-after masters programme in the country in the prestigious UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School, Dublin. The Masters in Marketing Practice here is a unique programme that offers graduates to work for companies in the capacity of marketing advisor, hence providing them with the opportunity of gaining both work experience and a degree of high repute. The best part of this programme is that I am the first Indian to be a part of the prestigious course and the only desi in my batch of 41.

I vividly remember my first day at the college. I was scared and nervous. Nervous because I thought I’ll never be able to understand the Irish accent, scared because I didn’t want to be labeled as a “conservative, shy and quiet” Indian even before anybody got to know me. Well, that soon changed once people heard me making feminist statements in regard to the anorexic Victoria’s Secret models. My extrovert and adaptable personality led me to make excellent friends of people who had always been sceptical of Indian culture. I was soon labeled as the Irish girl with heaps of fake tan.

There are just too many instances of how popular India and its offerings are in that part of the world. I was surprised to the see the influence of Indian culture on this remote tiny island. Almost everybody loved curries more than I did. They would wait for Curry Day in the canteen and always ordered a curry in when dining out. Often, I would be the only one tucking into a plate of chicken breast with cream and mushroom, while my Irish friends would lap up their chicken curry (In its most authentic spicy taste).

It’s not jut the Indian culture but also Bollywood and Indian movies my friends were interested in. In my first week of college I remember showing my friends how to dance to the song “Radha” from the movie Student of the Year. To my amazement, they picked the Bollywood steps really fast. From that day onwards all they would talk about was saving some money to come attend my big fat Indian wedding.

I also remember this one time when on a night out, all my Irish friends ransacked my bindi collection, wore them and got plenty of pictures clicked. Not just my classmates but nearly all Europeans I had an interaction with expressed a desire to visit India in their lifetime. It hardly comes as a surprise then that the movie The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel was a big hit in Ireland, staying in the cinemas for over three weeks. It was even screened in my university’s carnival! My Irish host family recorded the first part of the movie as well as a new show called Indian Summers based on the British rule over India. She would almost always watch cookery shows where the chef would travel to India in search of Indian cooking secrets.

An Irish friend of mine, Aimee, had been to Kolkata to volunteer. She was so inspired after interacting with the street children in the city that she is now organising a fundraising event with a charity that works towards the welfare of these underprivileged children in Calcutta.

This one time I needed a saree for an Indian Ball and didn’t have one with me (neither did any of my Indian friends), Aimee came to the rescue. She was kind enough to lend me a lovely bright blue silk saree she’d bought from India. In fact, she gave me plenty of options to pick from! Needless to say, my other Irish girlfriends were eager to try it on and pose, too.

I can mention so many other incidents that make me feel belonged in this country. I’m constantly reminded of my roots even as I experience the Irish way of life. I’ve found a home away from home in Ireland. I’ve travelled to every part of this beautiful island and every bit of it resonates with me. As I write this, I am thinking about the beautiful County of Donegal where the hills merge with the Atlantic Ocean and the Cliffs of Slieve League make you experience a new world altogether. If given a chance I would pick the same country, the same college and the same programme all over again. I wish this opportunity of studying abroad and experiencing a new culture on every single person. I hope that someday, all Indian students realise the value of taking the road less travelled because it sure has changed my life. I fall more and more in love with this mysterious island with every passing day.