Since 2008, with Audrey, we have mostly lived outside our own country. Scotland, Canada, Netherlands…Every time, we arrived in an entirely new environment, knowing (almost) nothing about our new host city and more importantly, knowing no one. It means that every time we had to connect with new people, which is not that easy in this context because each country has its own codes and custom. Here in Eindhoven, for the first time, we really felt welcomed as expats. Get in Touch is a big part of it, because not only it was a unique opportunity to meet super nice people in the same situation as us, but it also was a good way to discover the city and do numerous activities that we would never think of.

Initially, when we arrived in Eindhoven more than two years ago, we hadn’t planned to stay here very long. But now things have changed, and I don’t think we are in a hurry to leave Eindhoven. Without Get in Touch, I don’t think we would feel home here. And personally, it’s even more important that Audrey has received a huge support from the people of Get in Touch. She could find her own group of friends, participate to a lot of cool events (she knows much more of Eindhoven than I do!) and even organize some workshops within the association!

In October 2016, I came to Eindhoven to join PDEng at the Technical University, Eindhoven (TU/e) with my wife, Megha. For two years my life was going to head in a definite target. However, for Megha, her main goal- to study further- was challenging as she is a non-technical graduate. She would look for universities and the courses. On the other hand, she would look for job vacancies. However, things did not happen as we thought it would.

So when I see her effort go in vain, time and again, I used to and I still ask myself and Megha if coming to Eindhoven was a mistake. However, she always consoles me that she cannot think of any other place to live in; I don’t have to worry about her. Her words were not just to make me feel better but were genuine ones. But my concern comes back and the guilt at times when I reflect over her study and work. Her first priority has been to complete some level of education first.

However, it is no surprise that she is very happy here and I have felt it as well. And it has been possible because of Carola and her Get in Touch (GiT) Program. In the beginning, Megha was scared to go out alone even for the GiT program. I wasn’t expecting that in Megha as she has quite bravely and independently been living her life in Nepal. But I also knew she will need some time to get along with the new ambience. She joined the program once we knew about it during the orientation day at TU/e. GLOW festival was our first encounter with GiT and we both immediately enjoyed the evening, despite the chilly weather,  with nice company. Once she started meeting people, eventually, she started feeling better going out alone as well. Her bond with other spouses grew stronger day by day that now they are very close friends.

But GiT not only gave Megha new friends. I have equally been able to make new friends through GiT and Megha. ‘Her’ friends turned being ‘our’ friends. Time and again we meet each other. Mainly as most of us are working, we try to arrange some evenings together., mostly during weekends.

Looking back to the past two years that we spent here, we have been fortunate to have a small family in this new place. GiT, indubitably, is very important to Megha and so is to me. The thought of leaving this place and our new family is difficult to Megha, even if it means she has to wait to fulfil her goal. Her happiness could be missed otherwise.