Leaving my lively hometown in Timor Leste to pursue my education in England was a big turning point in my life. Even though I am now oceans away from the green landscapes, blue skies, and rolling waves of home, those memories stay with me. They are a collection of sights and sounds that inspire this look back at my journey.
When I first arrived on the rocky coast of Plymouth, where I am staying for my studies, the cold English wind felt completely different from the warm tropical air of Timor. Still, as I looked at the cliffs and listened to the crashing waves, familiar reminders of home appeared in the call of seabirds, the smell of saltwater, and the open sea. I moved here wanting to learn and grow, but I still felt a lot of uncertainty deep down.
Those early days were lonely, and I felt isolated trying to find my way around a temporary place with new customs. But everything changed when I started connecting with the people of Plymouth. Their kindness and stories of strength, hope, and shared dreams slowly helped me overcome my doubts. Walking the coast with new friends, I found comfort in their laughter and the beautiful nature around us. Every conversation grounded me, making my time studying here feel much less lonely and reminding me of the warmth of my community back in Timor.
Their support brought back passions I had put on hold for a long time. Together, we imagined a future where working together and supporting each other could build something meaningful. This change meant everything to me, and instead of feeling lost, I found my purpose in being part of a group during my time here. The loneliness I used to feel turned into a sense of belonging, reminding me that we grow best not when we are alone but through the relationships we build wherever we go.
My journey, just like the tides in Plymouth, has had its ups and downs. It taught me to be patient and to appreciate every small step just as much as the final goal. As Chanda Kochhar once said, it is all those little steps that make the journey complete. Today, I carry the spirit of Timor Leste with me, using the strength of the cliffs in Plymouth to reflect on the memories of where I truly belong. This project is my story of finding a connection to my homeland through a foreign landscape. It shows the value of taking big risks for my education, but also of moving forward steadily, one meaningful step at a time.
