HOME STRETCH

As the plane ascended, I took the last view of my city which now appeared as a tiny spot of beauty.I had
left the whole world behind.My family,my life,my friends.I now had to start over in a new city,new
country,new continent.I was scared!I had no insight of what lied ahead of me.I wondered what Pakistan
would be like.Would I make friends and how would I adjust to everything.

It has been quite an emotional journey.Five years down the line,I feel accomplished,BMC has
empowered me to succeed and exceed.It has equipped me with strong sense of responsibility, veritably
it has given me wonderful memories that I can look back to.Everything happens for a reason and when
life offers you a chance to experience places,do not hesitate.There is no limit to what you can
achieve.Med school is definitely not complete without mishaps,laughter,frustrations and friends we
make along the way.

I reached Quetta one of those wintry days in February.Since then I have weathered storms,climbed
mountains and made blissful memories.Adjusting to new people and new place was terrific.The culture
shock and newness of everything was overwhelming.I even felt new in my own skin.People flocked my
room with series of questions,some out of genuine curiosity,some out of sheer ignorance and some out
of complete innocence.I recall an encounter with a three year old who gently rubbed my skin to confirm
if the colour could be removed.I can only imagine he thought I had been painted or something close to
that.I marveled at this innocent soul.

Days passed, seasons changed each posing its own challenges.I struggled to fit in.When you are the only
different person in a place whether by colour,race,religion or otherwise,you don’t fit in because you
don’t look the part.You try to do your best to make others feel comfortable around you so you could be
included.People would have ideas about you based on really terrible stereotypes.In pursue of
enculturation I tried wearing Pakistan dresses.It was an agony to say the least.

15th May,2011 was our admission day.It was my first day in college.Truly speaking it was the longest day
ever.People stared at me from head to toe,I felt like a moving museum.I attended a welcome party for
BSO students .The Baloch dance was quite captivating.It was such an awesome introduction to the
diverse culture of this great nation.The glittery dresses,the songs,though I hardly heard a word but as
the adage goes music knows no language.It was a wonderful party!

Kindness is a language the deaf can hear and the blind can see.I met all kinds of people,some really
kind,some cruel and total bullies.Classes commenced,lectures were in Urdu,I could hardly understand.I
remember lecturers giving warnings to foreign students for being lazy and not attending classes.I silently
wondered how anyone could sit in a class where lectures were in a different language and jokes of
which you could only hear others laugh.It’s only the wearer of the shoe who knows where it pinches
most.I thought.Being so prominent was never fun.

Things got tough,studies piled up,stages were fast approaching .I was depressed.The conditions of the
city deteriorated,series of blasts and gun shots.My heart wept.I had to experience the first summer of
my life.The scorching heat ,my skin cracked,episodes of headache.There was nothing to smile about.I
couldn’t stand the quantity of spices and oil in meals.My taste buds went numb.I lived on the worst diet
plan ever which rendered me anemic.It seemed my problems were never going to end.I was
hopeless.Notable regards to Sr.Kaleem who counselled me and even send me a bunch of fruits when I
was sick.Indeed teachers teach but great teachers help us learn and live.

My struggle to get a shift failed.I picked myself up,recollected my mind and minimized my social circle.I
had to let go my social life.I knew it would be great for my career but bad for me as a person.Luckily
things started working out.I was much comfortable and started relating with people without having to
conform.I maintained a very small PR,which was really comfortable .I confined to my room to avoid
feeling different.I learned to process my emotions.My experience as a foreigner in Pakistan or BMC in
particular has been a mixed bag,with both positive and negative discrimination,hybrids of
people,nevertheless living abroad has been an adventure.

I had the privilege to tour Pakistan.I was perplexed with the size and population it
holds.Karachi,Islamabad,Lahore,Multan were all exciting places to be.I enjoyed the captivating view of
mountains and meandering rivers in the valley.I got lost in admiration of Saif Ul Malook and Pyal Jheel
just to mention a few.The beauty in the movement of clouds and winds in northern areas made me fall
in love with this wonderful nation.I aspire to visit again in the near future to catch a glimpse of
ornaments of nature.The diversity of this multicultural land has indeed broadened my view of the
world.Elegant weddings,beautiful cultural attires,cultural dances,colourful trucks and many more.The
hospitality of the Pakistanis is commendable.I will miss fresh dates from the great Panjgur.

Thanks to all people who have touched my life and made each experience worthwhile.Ayesha Javed, I
stand in awe of your goodness.You stood with me in every aspect of life and walked me through the
path.May goodness and mercy follow you all the days of your life.Heartful regards to the African
fraternity in BMC,whose consolation in tough times gave me strength to move on.I haven’t
accomplished yet, but I can confidently say,I can see some light at the end of the tunnel.Going home is
the best thing in the world.The couch moments with siblings,family meals,walking in the park,laughters
,sense of belonging and being.Indeed it is my HOME STRETCH!

Brenda Wanyama.

KENYA.

MBBS final year.