I left my country Congo (DRC) because I wanted to pursue my higher studies in another country: I wasn’t very enthusiastic about studying at the university of Bukavu. I went to Rwanda and studied Law at the university in Kigali for four years.

I never dreamt of going to Europe, although I knew life was better there. I used to tell my friends that the only reason that would make me travel to Europe would be to study. And that chance came when I got a scholarship from the Vrije University in Amsterdam. I studied a Masters in International Crimes and Criminology and it was exactly what I needed. I have the feeling that I improved my perception of the world, not only because of the studies but also life in Europe has made me understand a lot about the dynamics of this world, things that I know now I couldn’t understand then.

When I arrived in Amsterdam I got fooled by the ambiance since I arrived in August, right in the middle of a wonderful summer. As for the weather at the time, I really didn’t feel any difference from home because it was really warm and people were all outside, and I thought that’s how life is in the Netherlands. I was to be stunned a few months later.

I had a student visa for the first year and everything went smoothly on that chapter. I could travel everywhere I wanted, which I did as I went to Belgium and Germany. The following year as I finished my studies, I was granted another one year visa to look for a job. My accommodation was arranged for me by the university even before I left Rwanda. So I came and found accommodation ready for me. However, this lasted as long as I was a student. Once I was done studying, then I realized what people meant by ‘it’s almost impossible to find a house in Amsterdam.’

I really liked the ambiance when I was studying in Amsterdam. Everyone was friendly, I had friends from almost every part of the world and for ten month I felt life in Europe is great. This came to change when we completed the studies and everyone left. I found myself all alone.

Read about my life after I graduated in my next blog, I will post it next week!