Welcome to my first blog! Ahh, I can’t believe I’m writing about my experience again—it feels so good. Today, I want to share my journey from India to Syracuse, a decision I made almost 1.5 years ago.
“Moving to Syracuse: Taking a Leap of Faith”
So, what was Sonal doing before August 2023? I was working in India, somewhat lost about my career path and what I truly wanted. Pursuing a master’s degree abroad was never in my plans. Honestly, I think I was scared of change. But deep down, I knew I needed to step out of my comfort zone and see if I can navigate this new adventure (which I’m still figuring out).
The application process for the Fall semester starts in January, and I applied for my passport in December. Why didn’t I have a passport earlier? Well, I had never traveled by air before because of my fear of heights. The thought of being on a flight for 14 straight hours terrified me!
Leaving Home: A Tough but Necessary Step
Leaving behind my home, family, and everything familiar was incredibly hard. I had no idea what lay ahead—I didn’t know anyone in Syracuse, but I was ready for something new. After going through the application process, visa formalities, and all the crazy paperwork, my flight to the USA was scheduled for August 9, 2023. The journey took over 36 hours, and I arrived at my first home in the USA with five strangers.
The initial days were full of surprises, challenges, and adjustments. However, I was fortunate to find an amazing group of friends who made me feel at home. Their warmth and support helped me navigate this transition, and looking back, I realize those were some of the happiest days I’ve had in a long time. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that having a good support system is crucial when experiencing such a massive change.
This is one of the famous buildings of Syracuse University, famously known as “Hogwarts.” I took this picture because I was amazed by the building, and in the fall, it just looked so pretty.
Adapting to Student Life in Syracuse
Our semester was set to start on August 28, so we had plenty of university events to attend before that. These events were essential in helping us get acquainted with the university and each other. Once classes started, life became a whirlwind of assignments, exams, cooking, cleaning, and managing everything independently. The fast-paced nature of life here was challenging, but we found ways to have fun along the way.
August flew by in a blur of exploration and adaptation. In September, we visited the New York State Fair, which was an exciting experience. My friends braved the scary rides (which I skipped because of my fear!), but overall, the fair was incredible. We took tons of photos, watched breathtaking fall sunsets, and tried new food options—including delicious ice cream!
Reflection: Growth Through Change
I have so many more memories to share, which I will, one by one. But to sum it up—this experience has been a roller coaster ride. To those planning to move away from home but feeling scared, I want to say that I understand. Change is hard, but it’s also one of the best decisions you can make for yourself. Some of us take longer to adjust, and that’s completely okay.
For those already here, working hard to build a future from scratch, I see you. The reality of jobs, visas, and responsibilities can be overwhelming. You change so much that you not even recognize the person you were before coming here. But with every struggle, you learn something new about yourself and grow in ways you never imagined.
The pressure of juggling so many things in a single day can feel like too much. But trust me, we will get through this. One day, when we’ve achieved what we set out for, this phase—where we feel lost, overwhelmed, and unsure—will just be a distant memory. And we’ll look back, proud of how far we’ve come.
Understanding every little change, and getting used to it takes time but we all learn something about ourselves and grow in our own way.
Talk to you soon……
Chats With Sonalđź’ 
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