Chapter 9: Nice, Nicer and Nicest

A most important thing to consider for becoming a traveler is to have friends around the world. I consider myself as a budding traveler. Even though I've visited only a few places in India and my journey to New Zealand would be my first foreign trip, I'd like to consider myself as traveler. One day, am sure that I'd finish the globe and I'm planning to write a book about it. I'm now in my first step for achieving that, 'Developing my circle of friends around the globe'. I could now say that I'm doing an 'okay' job as I have some handful of trustworthy friends around the globe. This chapter is dedicated to such friends who're in the various parts of this planet.



First, let me start from the point where it all began. 'New York Film Academy'. I found N.Y.F.A community page in Facebook which helped me to find two great friends. 'AMRITA' and ALAIN SINGAYE'. Alain Singaye is an aspiring and talented actor who lives in Los Angeles. He studied his acting course in N.Y.F.A. I found his profile in the community page and gave him friend request explaining about my situation and query about N.Y.F.A. He was so a nice man that he explained to me about the current situation in L.A and about the life in N.Y.F.A. From then on, I've been in constant touch with him through frequent chats and messages. He really helped me to make a decision about N.Y.F.A. I've seen his 'acting show reel' once, and it was awesome. I'm sure that he'd make it big.


ALAIN SINGAYE

I could say that 'Amrita' is one of my best friend and more like a sister. She gave me a friend request after seeing my profile in N.Y.F.A community page thinking that am going to join N.Y.F.A. She had the same plan. Amrita is an Indian who's living in Florida. I guess we all know about what it takes for an Indian woman to live alone in the mighty U.S. It takes a lot of courage and determination. Amrita has it all. She have lots of dreams and loads of talents and extraordinary gift of being so nice and facing the problem with a cool mind state. This is Amrita as far as I know. We used to chat every day, discussing our problems and experiences. It was so easy to get along with her as both of us shared similar tastes. I must really thank N.Y.F.A community page to help me finding someone so important in my life. I just have one thing to say to her "I'm sure, you'd go places with your talents, sis"


'CUTE' HAE IN

Another important person in my life is my cute friend 'Hae In' from Korea. We became friends through the 'OMEGLE' website. We shared our Facebook profiles. From that time she's been my good and trust worthy friend with whom I could share any secret. She had a good accent of English unlike many Koreans. Everyday we'd have long conversations about our day to day life which created a bond. She's a close friend to my sister too. I can't forget the cute little gift she sent to my home on my birthday. She was so happy to receive my flowers in turn. Now we find very little time to chat as she moved to Hostel. But that didn't affect the bond between us.

 When I was searching for some film institutions in New Zealand, I found SUSAN BUTLER's profile in 'SOUTH SEAS FILM AND TELEVISION SCHOOL' community page. Susan Butler is one of the nicest friends I have. Susan and I shared a common goal of joining a well reputed film institute in New Zealand. Susan is from Australia and she is going to move to New Zealand by the end of this year. I'm so eager to meet her as she was my first and best NZ mate.


TALENTED 'RAJNEEL SINGH'

At first, I didn't know that my friendship with 'RAJNEEL SINGH' is so valuable. I found his profile in 'NZ film commission's community page. I gave him request to get cleared on some doubts about NZ film industry. I must say that Rajneel is the most tolerant man in this planet. He answered each and every question of mine without leaving a tiniest detail. Usually my questions would be of two lines in size. His answers would be like in 'twenty lines'. Rajneel is an Indo-New zealander ho's currently living in Auckland. I'm sure that I'd meet him in Auckland. One day, I clicked the link of a short film in Rajneel's profile. 'BLANK SPACES' is it's name. I'm not exaggerating here. But it is one of the best short film I've seen. I mean, really THE BEST. Only a true passionate traveler could enjoy the happiness of that film's protagonist. To my shock, the film ended with a credit 'A FILM BY RAJNEEL SINGH'. I didn't know how to react. I realized that for the past full month I've been talking to him by using the words like 'Dude, Man etc.' without knowing that he's a highly talented film maker. That film won him, a second prize in 'NATIONAL SHORT FILM COMPETITION'.



Now, to add another diamond to his crown, his another short film 'BIG BAD WOLVES' is going to be screened in 'INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM FESTIVAL' which is going to be held in France. He's now in his trip to France to present his short film. Now he's working on his first feature called 'SEIZURE'. It would probably be released by the month of June '2012'. I'm sure that it would be a grand success. One thing I've been meaning to say to him "Without your guidance and patient answers I would be still searching for universities in a different part of the world. Thanks a lot man, I owe you big time"



These are some of my important, nice and trust worthy friends who're living in various places around this planet. There are lot more unmentioned. Namely 'Ferrie Lin from Taiwan', 'Lea Schimt' from Germany, 'Idibun' from Nigeria, 'Maria' from Iceland, 'Hamina' from Romania. I just wanna tell one thing to you guys "We're doing great as friends irrespective of our race, places of origin and natives. Thanks for being my friends"

Chapter 8: Destination - New Zealand

I heard the same voice inside me "WHAT'S YOUR NEXT DESTINATION?"
At that time, I didn't know that I was going to spend the rest of my semester by searching an answer for that question. I realized that my dream of travelling around the globe is finally getting a starting point. Many Indian students have U.S dream in them. But not me! U.S is just an other destination in my 'wanna go' list. Nothing's special in it. My dream is to live in a country which has a strong historical and cultural background.


A SCOTTISH BAGPIPE CULTURE

When I say about this dream to others, I was constantly facing this remark 'You're not a true Indian, Why are you giving up on our country? Your cultural and historical background is right there in our country' But usually my thought for that remark would go on like this ...

'Wow wow ... Hold on!!! Who said anything about giving up India or patriotism. A man, helping some orphans in India by providing them money by living in some other country is also a TRUE INDIAN, A man, living in India who doesn't follow any rules and regulations is also NOT A TRUE INDIAN. There's no rule that a true Indian must only be in India. God created this beautiful world and I wish to see each and every beauty he created. Travel makes me feel closer to him. Wherever I go, whatever rule I follow, I'd be an Indian by my heart and I'd do nothing except good for my country. I love my country but don't you care about where I'm living.'



That may have sounded a little harsh. But I believe that's the truth. Then I started my search for that magical destination. At first like everyone else I fell for the mighty 'Hollywood'. Even though I didn't like to study in U.S, I searched for the film institutes in America. I found lots and lots but only New York Film Academy (N.Y.F.A) had a magical effect on me. I decided that N.Y.F.A is my next destination. The next day I called Mr.Koo, public relations for N.Y.F.A to en-quire about the One year film making course in the UNIVERSAL STUDIOS campus. I was so excited to see the names of the visiting lecturers as all of them were renowned technicians and film makers. I dreamed of shooting my short movies inside universal studios.



But again, time made me realize that nothing's so simple in this world. I came to know about the huge fees which I'm supposed to pay for just a year. Huge ... I mean, real huge (Rs.28,00,000) per year including all living and eating expenses. L.A is not the place for Indian middle class people. I then came to know that I can't do any part time jobs while studying. I made many contacts and friends who studied there through Facebook. I feel like I must worship internet for the immense help it offered. Then I found that America is not the right destination. From then on, I searched for many film making institutions around the globe. Each and everything had its own limitations. For example, EICAR institute in France offer a high quality training, but once I finish the course I must've known enough French to write a script in that language. Atlast I shortlisted the institutions which are in the english speaking countries except U.S. The list showed CANADA,U.K,NEW ZEALAND,AUSTRALIA,IRELAND.



It is so exhausting to even think about the process I went through. Australia was rejected by my mom as she was concerned about my safety. Canada was equally costly when compared to U.S. Ireland had no proper film institutes. Atlast I shortlisted U.K and New Zealand.I attended numerous spot interviews for various universities in New Zealand and U.K. and applied for ten universities and two institutions totally. I sent some of my videos, scripts and story boards along with the application requirements. I can surely say, that those three months,I spent in searching and applying for universities, attending spot admissions, waiting for their e-mails - Man!!! Those were the toughest months, and it took all my hard work and left me with an ample amount of stress. But I felt those tedious three months was worth the effort when I got conditional offer letters from six universities and from both institutions I applied. I dreamed about living in U.K as it's in Europe even though it's not in the E.U association. As you know Europe is my dream. But again I was proved that 'Dream is not real'. The reaction of my cousin and lot others after I said that 'I'm coming to U.K. for studies' made me to think twice. Their reply goes like this ...

"Don't ever try to come to U.K. It's so dry here, no part time jobs, no 'Permanent Residence', it's not like in your dreams. Listen 1 pound is Rs.85. You could think either way. If you get a part time job, you could clear the dept. If you don't get a part time job then your father would be doomed!!!"



But again, my luck worked out. Long ago, I applied for an institution in New Zealand called Eastern Institute of Technology and attended an interview session for nearly two hours where they asked questions about various aspects of film making. It has an exclusive two years course for film making. It costs around Rs.9,00,000 for 2 years. The living cost in New Zealand is so cheap. One fine morning when I was in a dilemma about my destination the 'Conditional offer letter post came to clear my mind. I checked about the institute in the trust worthy internet to find that it's one of the government funded university. I had a long chat with the FILM AND VIDEO PRODUCTIONS's dean to find that I'm the only Indian student among the 18 selected students around the globe. I was so amazed and I don't have an exact word to explain my happiness.


EIT CAMPUS

Obviously like every fellow human, I didn't try to risk my father's financial situation. I submitted my IELTS mark sheet to Eastern Institute of Technology and got an unconditional offer letter. It feels like it all happened so soon. One weird thing is that only after signing my offer of acceptance I researched about New Zealand. I would say I wouldn't be more happier even if I went to U.K. New Zealand had got everything. I'm not saying this because it's my magical destination. It's because I was so mesmerized by its natural beauty and its cultural values. It consists of two small islands called 'North Island' and 'South Island'.


AUCKLAND

I'm going to a village called 'Taradale', near the well known 'Auckland' in Northern Island. I don't know about others but I was really impressed by NZ and its nature. It's economically stable unlike other big countries. But I know one thing for sure 'NO COUNTRY IS A PARADISE' Every place has its own advantages and limitations. I'm sure NZ has its limitations. But that makes it more interesting. Now, I'm eagerly waiting for this December to arrive to face some new people, new cultures, new adventures and a whole new land called 'NEW ZEALAND' ...