Three and a half years ago, I landed in the UK with a suitcase full of dreams and a heart filled with uncertainty. I arrived in Dundee, a city I had never heard of before, but one that would soon become my home. Now, as I prepare to leave, packing up the life I built here feels surreal. Every item folded into my suitcase carries a memory, a milestone, a moment of struggle, and a moment of triumph.
Moving to a new country is never easy, but doing it alone as a single parent added layers of challenges I never anticipated. From adapting to a new culture to raising my child in an unfamiliar land, every step was a lesson in resilience. I built a home from scratch, not just with items and furniture, but with friendships, experiences, and a deep-rooted sense of belonging.
Dundee: The City That Became My Home
Dundee, with its cobbled streets and quiet charm, became more than just a place to live it became my home. It is where I found my strength, where I discovered my voice, and where I carved a path for myself in ways I never thought possible. It is where I learned the true meaning of independence, balancing work, studies, and parenthood while building a community of support around me.
One of the most precious parts of my journey here was watching my daughter grow in this city. She continued her school in Dundee, and I saw her flourish in ways that filled my heart with pride. From her first day in a Scottish classroom, being part of a musical band, learning different forms of arts, adapting to a new accent and making friends, to the school plays and playground laughter, every moment was a testament to her resilience. She embraced the culture, the weather, and the adventure of living in a different country with a curiosity that inspired me daily. Dundee nurtured her childhood.
Life as an immigrant in the UK was full of life-changing experiences. I met people from diverse backgrounds, learned to adapt, and grew in ways I never imagined. There were struggles, isolation and loneliness, bureaucratic hurdles, the moments of doubt but there were also victories, big and small. Every challenge I faced made me stronger, and every connection I made reminded me that no matter where we are in the world, we are never truly alone.
Now, as my visa comes to an end, I find myself at the crossroads of bittersweet emotions. The excitement of reuniting with my family in India is mixed with the sorrow of leaving behind a city that I call home. Dundee will always hold a special place in my heart it is the chapter that transformed me, the bridge between who I was and who I have become.
As I step onto that flight back home, I carry more than just my suitcases. I carry the lessons, the friendships, the growth, and the love that this city gave me. I leave with a heart full of gratitude and I will never forget the city that made me feel at home, even when I was miles away from where I started.
To Dundee city, you will always be a part of me.
