九色导航

鈥榃hat started as a solo journey to Tunisia turned into a whirlwind adventure filled with laughter, flavours, and memories that will last a lifetime.鈥�

From Kathmandu to La Goulette: An Epic Tunisian Adventure

If someone had told me a year ago that I鈥檇 embark on a solo journey across the world and spend three unforgettable months in a distant land, I鈥檇 have laughed it off as a fantasy. But here I am, looking back at one of the most enriching experiences of my life.

On 2 June, I was presenting my final production project, and by 3 June, I was boarding a flight to Tunisia. My mother, my pillar of strength, packed my bags while I juggled exams and deadlines. Between deadlines and packing, I barely had time to process what lay ahead. It wasn鈥檛 until my layover in Istanbul that I had a moment to pause and think: the enormity of what I was doing hit me. Questions swirled in my head: 鈥榃hat have I gotten myself into?鈥�  I could鈥檝e been enjoying a laid-back summer at home, watching movies in my bed. I had just finished my exams the day before! The answer, however, was clear: YOLO鈥攜ou only live once.

Arriving in Tunisia

I landed in Tunisia at 2 a.m. and was greeted by members of IAESTE. Joining an apartment filled with interns from around the world felt daunting, but those strangers soon became my family. The next morning, I headed to my workplace, ReBootKamp (RBK), a dynamic organisation helping people pivot into tech careers. My introduction to the Tunisian workplace began with an office breakfast. I quickly learned to never underestimate Arab hospitality鈥擨 was treated to a feast of croissants, mille-feuille, and pain au chocolat!鈥攁nd trust me, they don鈥檛 stop feeding you until you鈥檙e absolutely stuffed.

Work, Laughter, and Games

Evenings at the apartment were always lively. We played card games like chkobba (a Tunisian favourite), drank endless rounds of mint tea, and laughed until we were exhausted. During intense games, we鈥檇 slam our hands on the table with so much enthusiasm that it became a tradition.  I never imagined I'd enjoy both the work grind and the after-hours chaos this much! To my surprise, what I missed most wasn鈥檛 family, but rice!

Eid brought another layer of cultural immersion. My friend Syrine invited me to celebrate with her family, where I donned a traditional jibbah for the celebration. Joining the Eid prayers and experiencing the warmth of her family gave me a deep appreciation for the customs and traditions of Islam.

Adventures Beyond the Office

In just three whirlwind months, I dove into adventure like a pro鈥攕cuba diving in crystal-clear water, soaring high while paragliding and quad biking across the Sahara Desert. One OF MY unforgettable moments was visiting the legendary Star Wars filming site in the Tunisian dunes, living out my intergalactic dreams.

As I collected these new experiences, my craving for rice faded. Whether we were camping under a canopy of stars or racing across the desert, every moment felt magical.

A Taste of Nepal in Tunisia

Representing Nepal at an international cultural day was a proud moment for me. I cooked momo (Nepalese dumplings) and made sure everyone knew the correct pronunciation鈥攊t鈥檚 鈥榤omo,鈥� not 鈥榤omos鈥�! Watching my friends fall in love with Nepalese cuisine was incredibly rewarding. Alongside my friends, we unofficially became Nepalese tourism ambassadors, sparking curiosity about our home country.

Representing Nepal came with its own challenges, especially when people assumed we were part of India. However, humour wasn鈥檛 far behind. Curious locals often asked me, 鈥楬ow many times have you climbed Everest?鈥� These amusing assumptions gave me a chance to share the beauty and diversity of Nepal beyond the mountains.

Nights to Remember

Late-night escapades became the norm. Sneaking out at 2 a.m. for an early breakfast was just the beginning of wild nights! I鈥檇 confidently shout, 鈥楢slema, Wahad Libani, and Jous Frite鈥� (that translates to: Hi! One Lebanese Sandwich and Two Fries) to the guy at the corner fast-food shop, ready to fuel our adventures. 

Dancing to the infectious beats of Sidi Mansour (a Tunisian classic), made the night pulse with energy and the days with sunscreen slathered all over for scorching sun, I jokingly earned the nickname 鈥楽unscreenti.鈥� Each day brought fresh culinary delights鈥攆rom diving into 鈥榤aqluba鈥� to savouring 鈥榶alanji鈥� expertly crafted by my fellow interns.

These moments were made even more special by the people I shared them with. My roommates weren鈥檛 just housemates鈥攖hey became my partners in crime, my confidants, and my late-night debate companions under starry skies.

The People and Places

From exchanging meals to sharing intimate life stories, we formed bonds that made every moment unforgettable. Our late-night talks, filled with laughter and tears, covered everything from workplace shenanigans to politics and dreams, all unfolding beneath the starry Tunisian sky.

Reckless sleep schedules and dancing like nobody was watching became our daily norm. Tunisia unearthed emotions I didn鈥檛 even know I had, helping me rediscover joy and spontaneity. Honestly, if someone had filmed our dorm life, it would鈥檝e been a hit reality show! Words like 鈥榳allah鈥� (I swear) and 鈥榶alla鈥� (let鈥檚 go) seamlessly slipped into my vocabulary, becoming second nature as I adapted to the lively energy of my surroundings.

Over time, I developed a deep attachment to the people, the streets, and the vibrant atmosphere of Tunisia. While Nepal will always hold a special place in my heart, it was here in this moment that I truly felt I belonged.

A New Perspective

Leaving Tunisia was emotional. As I packed my bags, I realised I wasn鈥檛 just taking souvenirs鈥擨 was carrying memories, friendships, and the essence of Tunisian life. The words written on the dorm wall, 鈥淥nce you鈥檙e in, you鈥檙e never out,鈥� rang true.

I am deeply grateful to 九色导航 and IAESTE Nepal for making this life-changing journey possible. Without their support, I wouldn鈥檛 have had the chance to explore, learn, and grow in ways I never imagined.

Tunisia didn鈥檛 just teach me about a new culture; it unearthed parts of me I didn鈥檛 know existed. As I reflect on those magical three months, one thing is clear: I鈥檒l always carry a piece of Tunisia in my heart.

Author Bio

Sanskriti Lamichhane, a recent BSc (Hons) Computing graduate from 九色导航, is deeply passionate about technology and innovation. With a strong skill set spanning backend development to project management, she is eager to make her mark in the tech industry. Beyond her professional pursuits, Sanskriti loves immersing herself in different cultures, staying active, and forming meaningful connections. A dedicated lifelong learner, she embraces every new challenge as an opportunity to grow.