3 min readPuneJul 13, 2023 02:42 PM IST
First published on: Jul 12, 2023 at 06:55 PM IST
For Makara Yan of Cambodia, the last two years in Pune taught her a lot about herself and helped her make friends from India and other countries. In her own words, her stay here is helping her discover freedom anew and the experience has been “life changing”.
Like Yan, a student of International Business at Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), several other international students from across higher educational institutes of Pune on Wednesday gathered along with their friends and family members for the Students’ Convocation Ceremony at the Symbiosis Vishwabhavan Auditorium. Over 86 students from 32 countries were awarded their degrees.
From making friends and memories to enjoying Indian cuisines, experiencing house hunting woes and overcoming language barriers, the students shared their stories with each other during the event.
Pemba Lhan from Bhutan, who is studying at the Symbiosis College of Nursing, loves the weather but hates the traffic snarls in the city. A third year student, Lhan said, “Interaction with patients is very difficult due to language barriers.” Lhan was joined in by Parbata Chhetri, another Bhutanese student enrolled in the same course. “I know Hindi but it is still difficult as a lot of patients only know Marathi here.”
Delight Peters, a 25-year-old student from Nigeria said, “The food here is different kind of spicy when compared to Nigerian food but it did not take me long to get used to it.” Peter, who is studying Culinary Arts at the Lavale campus of Symbiosis International, said, “Now, I can even cook several Indian dishes.”
Rahmatullah Bahaar, a 24-year-old student from Afghanistan, who has been studying in Pune since 2019 on a scholarship from the Ministry of Higher Education of his country, said, “It has been a great opportunity to come and study here but it bothers me that once I go back, I may not be able to come back again.”
He added, “Ever since the government changed, new visas are not being issued for students. Mine was issued before the government changed so I have managed to get it extended.” Bahaar is completing his masters degree at SPPU and loves Pune’s weather but his favourite season is the monsoon.
Addressing the students as the Chief Guest, the Consul General of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Mumbai, Zakia Wardak said, “Education is a catalyst for transformation. In a world often clogged with stereotypes and misconceptions, Afghan girls have shed barriers and proven that education knows no boundaries.”
Also speaking at the event, the Chancellor of Symbiosis International University and Founder and President of Symbiosis, S B Mujumdar said, “If at all India should have a slogan, it should be Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the earth is one family).”
Students during the International Students’ Convocation at Symbiosis on Wednesday. Express photograph by Arul Horizon. 
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