Home'fit'

Homesickness has probably been one of the biggest tormentors of hundreds of young students or professionals who come to distant lands for study or work. Quite naturally then, that was something I wasn't ruling out to happen to me too. Surprisingly however, there has hardly been any of that feeling ever since I landed in America over a month ago. Sure, I missed Ganeshotsav and the food and all the fun that comes with it (that the wisarjan miraunook chaos ruined it this time is a different matter), but I wouldn't call that homesickness just yet. Casual after-dinner chats over coffee with room-mates revealed a very similar picture... none of them really feel homesick, which also makes me feel less cold. Of course you could put it down to better means of communication these days than say half a decade ago, but the consensus that emerged from that conversation was that this was not really all that different from home. All the eight people that live in two adjacent apartments, are from in and around Pune (true to my Puneri upbringing, Mumbai is casually included in that circle :P) and all are Marathi speaking people. So there is the same food, the same language, the same jokes and many have common friends. Its almost like a home away from home.

Leaving your family and friends behind can be tough. Living it out on your own, making new friends and adjusting with their lifestyle does not make it any easier. Most of this post may make you go "duh " but I feel its importance is rather underplayed. So a simple word of advice for anyone who is planning an away-life - choose your roomies - and do it right.