Hyderabad has a positive vibe just like my hometown Lagos

From Nigeria to Hyderabad, Halimat Ifelouwa Ogunbiyi’s life in St Francis College for Women is nothing less than exciting. A final year student of Mass Communication, Ifelouwa says, “The thought of studying in another country excited me when I was introduced to the idea. One of my family friends had also studied in Francis and that’s how I nurtured the dream to study here.”
Ifelouwa who hails from Lagos, the largest city in Nigeria, considers herself to be lucky to be a part of St Francis family.Friends and roommates play a major role in making her feel home in a foreign country, she says. “My roomies and friends are very
accommodating. So it wasn’t really difficult to blend in. Even the people in my neighbourhood here are so friendly and accommodating.”
Talking about the institution and faculty, she says, “I am proud to be a part of this college. The lecturers in fact are very supportive and encouraging.” Being an outsider, a person faces a lot of cultural shocks and awkward moments but Ifelouwa says, “I don’t really get the feeling of being from a different continent as my best friends have been really welcoming and they chill with me like I am an Indian.” The most awkward situation she faces is when people admire her and get curious about her.
When asked about what excites her about Hyderabad and its people, she exuberantly replies, “The culture here is very different and the vibes of the city are positive and happening. The food, especially the main dishes here, are what my Nigerian friends are delighted about. Actually the language, food, culture, wedding style and yes the people here make Hyderabad a beautiful city.”