in a little world of strangers (taken in Voyage Travellers Lounge, Melaka)

When I began planning to move to Auckland to study, my mother was a little worried about the uncertainty of living in a place that was so different from India, where we lived. She worried particularly about a lack of jobs, cultural differences and racism.

Despite these concerns, I came to New Zealand in July 2009. I have found the place and people to be very gracious and supportive. Soon after I arrived, I realised the importance of getting a job to supplement my living allowance.

Determined to do this on my own, I spent a whole day going door-to-door asking for a job, but found little or no response. This became my daily routine after college for a few weeks.

One afternoon, I walked into a building to ask if there were any job opportunities. The people there were all stunned, and advised me not to continue my job search in that manner. As I was about to leave, a client in the building, who had been listening to what the others had said, approached me and asked if I would wait outside. Fifteen minutes later, he returned. He asked me what my plans were and encouraged me to stay positive. He then offered to take me to the Royal Oak area to search for a job.

I was a little baffled, but had a good feeling about him and so I went along. Along the way, I realised that I had run out of résumés. The man stopped at his business partner’s office to make me 15 extra copies. He also gave me self-presentation tips on dressing and speaking, and added that I should give him a call if I ever needed anything. I handed out my résumés and went home feeling very satisfied. The following day, I received a call from a store in Royal Oak offering me a job.

It seems that the world always gives back to you when you need it. And this time, it was a complete stranger who turned out to be a real blessing.