Empowering Young Migrants to Share Their Stories (Part 1)

By Sabnam Bhandari and Elia Psara from RESET

In today’s world, the integration of young migrants into their host societies remains a significant challenge. These individuals often face numerous barriers, ranging from language obstacles to social and cultural isolation. The SeHeMe Me (SeeMeHear) project was born out of the desire to address these difficulties and provide young newcomers with a powerful platform to share their voices and stories.

Sabnam's JourneySabnam's journey to Cyprus is a testament to the resilience and determination of young migrants. Here, we share her story and how she has experienced her stay in Cyprus until now.

Sabnam: "My name is Sabnam Bhandari, I am 26 years old, and I am from Nepal. While in Nepal, I decided that I wanted to expand my horizons and focus more on my passion, which is to become a bartender. Knowing Cyprus is a tourist country, I decided to move there and study Hotel Administration at Casa College.

Moving to Cyprus all by myself felt a bit daunting at first. I was young, had never lived in another country alone, and I also didn’t know anyone living in Cyprus. When I first got here, I was happy to find out there were more people from Nepal, and I started making some friends before starting at my college. Initially, I thought the language would be a huge barrier since I didn’t speak Greek, but I realized most people in Cyprus speak English, which helped a lot. A challenge I faced was the cultural difference and lifestyle. Slowly, I have adapted to nearly everything.

At Casa College, I had the best experience! The professors were super friendly, understanding, and very good at teaching. I learned a lot, and they also helped me find my first job at a hotel, working part-time at first! Years passed, and it was finally my graduation! I fell in love with Cyprus because it felt like my second home. At that time, I had a student visa which expires after you finish your studies and requires you to return to your home country, but I wanted to stay longer and do my best in the hotel industry using all the knowledge I had acquired from my college. After speaking with my college, I managed to find another job and got myself an interview. I was accepted and I was very happy. From there, I received my working visa, which allowed me to work and stay in Cyprus!"

Overcoming Discrimination

Even though discrimination is a pervasive issue that many migrants might face, Sabnam, has a different story to share!

Sabnam: "I was very lucky and felt welcomed in Cyprus. When I first arrived, I was initially apprehensive about the move, but the friendliness of the people here quickly put me at ease. At Casa College, I met many wonderful classmates and professors who were always ready to help and support me. Their friendliness made the transition to a new country much smoother. I also had the chance to form meaningful connections with my colleagues at work. Outside of college and work, I explored the local culture and lifestyle."

Sabnam’s story is a great example of resilience, of a young woman moving to a different country. Her courage to pursue her dreams, along with her dedication to succeed, can serve as an inspiration to anyone who might face similar challenges.