Story for History 

A DREAM COME TRUE

It has been exactly nine months since I left home in Kalimpong and all my loved ones to pursue my dream. I always dreamt to be a Counselor and a Psychologist. People often say that dreams are a figment of our imagination, I do agree with this, however my dream turned into reality. A reality that came true due to Gods loving grace and because of the support provided to me by my Church, Church of North India, through the benign help of The Rev. Dr. Enos Das Pradhan, General Secretary and the Council for World Mission. Indeed to study abroad on a scholarship, pursuing a course I always wanted to do with no worries about finances is a dream come true.

By Gods grace, today I am in Edinburgh pursuing my MSc in Counseling and Psychotherapy in the well renowned University of Edinburgh. Being here it has been a joy and a great learning experience.

The experience of being an International student has indeed been very different from being a student back home in India. I am not the only Indian in my class but I am also youngest student here. I remember clearly, feeling intimidated by my class mates when I first joined. I had never expected to study with people that were as old as my own father. I had entered a new world that was different from the one I belonged to. There were no familiar faces here and I was alone. They were strange rules, strange accents and a very different culture here. People stood in a queue every where I went, there were strange electronic machines for most things such as the buses or simply even shopping. The roads were unfamiliar and the method of education was completely different. I felt immature, lost, inexperienced and vulnerable.

However, I have come a long way since then. And today I have not only gained my confidence but I have grown in many ways. Academically I have maintained my grades and have been passing with a first division in all my assignments. I have thus overcome my intimidation and feeling of inadequacy. I have developed a new sense of independence, one that has aided me in many ways. I am not only a student here but also a causal support part time worker, working sixteen hours a week supporting people with various Disabilities and Mental Health issues.

If I were to describe my typical week in Edinburgh it would be:

I wake up late most days as classes are usually in the afternoon. I then either walk or take the University Shuttle bus to the city center where most of my classes are held. Here I enter a class room where all students are seated in a circle. There we exchange our usual greetings and talks about work or family and then we begin our group discussions. These discussions are based on the readings provided to us a week before. We discuss concepts, theories and our understanding of this. This is then followed by the tutors input through a power point presentation. We then again begin a new group discussion with the new gained perspective. This is then followed by listening practice. One in which we are a listener to one of our classmates. This is done in a private room where every student brings in their personal life. Through this we gain experience in being a listener, an important skill of a counselor. On some days we video record our practice and bring it back to bigger group for feedback. At the end of the day, we all sit together and talk about what we have learnt today and how it felt. We often engage in presentations, research reviews and assignment submissions. The entire course week begins with reading, visits to the library and Google search. 
Once class is over I return back to my flat (University Accommodation) where I live in comfort. Here I live in the comfort of having internet access 24 hours, having a well equipped kitchen which I share with nine other flat mates and having everyplace around me easily accessible by public transport. This is the very place where I have formed new bonds, new friendships and have created a little home for my self.

On days and weekends when I do not have class I work. In my work I support children and older people with various disabilities. Currently I support two ladies and two gentlemen with Down syndrome and one young boy with Autism. My work entails helping them with various recreation activities, administering medication, taking them out for various appointments, helping them with their meals and also handing their finances. During the Easter break I also worked in a camp for children with disabilities. Yes, my work keeps me busy and also at the same time enables me to earn some pocket money. In between all of this I do take time out to go out with friends for lunch or dinner.

Indeed my life here is comfortable as well as challenging. Staying away from home has not been easy but I know that God is with me and also I have my family and church to always support me.

I have come a long way and I still have a long way to go. To reach where I want to I still have to pursue another course. I still have to do another two year course to achieve the full accreditation of a Counselor to then be able to practice as a qualified Counselor. And keeping this is mind I have been saving some money and I have also applied for the course. 
I really hope that by this September after I graduate I will continue to work in my current job over the weekdays and complete the part time two years course over weekends.

Indeed I have a lot to think about and a lot to more to do, I have to consider Visa issues and finances but this does not worry me. There is Gods will and grace and where ever he takes me I know I will be alright.


Leenoor Lingzyer Foning