"My Entry in Writing Contest."

“Hey, Buddy!” – Meeting a Fellow Countryman in a Land I do not Call My Own

Meeting a fellow countryman in a land I do not call my own is a breath of fresh air to me; in my longing and homesickness, a quick time for therapy. Don’t get me wrong; I love this place. I love the culture, the people, and everything that’s in here that gives me a different but beautiful kind of experience every day. But, living here was never a choice. The thought of being an expat never crossed my mind either. This place, regardless of its beauty and grace, is not what I call home.

But, as duty calls, I must answer. I must accept that this place needs me more than my homeland does. Well, I guess the decision to be here was not so bad after all; I have helped many children in my school learn the English language. As a teacher, that means a lot to me – enough to keep me going.

Still, you can’t erase the fact that I miss home. But meeting and hanging out with a fellowman with the same homeland as mine is enough for me to experience the home I’m longing for. Good thing this is one of those days it happens.