Sandrine Lareine

O.M. Sandrine Lareine

Dr. Erin Dietel-McLaughlin
WR 13300-SS13
09/12/2014
Going Big.

Its an island in the Indian Ocean, off the East coast of Madagascar. Thats always what I say
when asked about my country, Mauritius. I dont really expect people to know its existence
anyways; its so small, so small that Ive already been over the island more than once. From
North to South, from East to West, I almost know it all.

In 2008, my family flew to South Africa and even at that young age, I remember being
mesmerized. I thought South Africa was so modern and developed compared to Mauritius, which
still lags behind being a less developed country. The parks, the shopping malls, the safari it was
all astounding. That was when my love for traveling started budding. I was 8. I wanted to know
what more was out there and how far we, but mostly I, could go.

We went to Europe, namely England and France, after that. I was impressed by the London Eye.
The view from up there was breath-taking. In a similar way, going up the iconic Eiffel Tower, I
felt powerful. It was almost surreal. My favorite however remains Disneyland, Paris. Although I
was 12, I believe I would enjoy it just as much now.

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I wanted still to go even further. The obvious destination was the US, the most influential nation
of the world. I wondered for a few years if my parents would ever take us there, and one day,
when I dared to ask, they said that it was too far and expensive. That accounted for a no, but I
was determined to pave my way to the Land of the Free one way or another, sooner rather than
later. It was my new secret ambition.

Then, a window opened. After high school in my area, many graduates fly to Europe, Asia,
Australia or Canada for higher studies. You also hear of a handful going to the States. Now this
was my chance! I wanted to be a part of it. Tertiary education in the US was twice as expensive
as in England (where my elder sister ended up going) but I had my mind made up; I would make
it. I didnt tell my parents yet though. I knew what they thought: it was way too far and way too
expensive, but my parents couldnt stop me from making my dreams come true. No relative
could dissuade me, not my grandmother or any other person who believed it was a crazy dream.
Nobody could stop this young, passionate heart of mine.

Eventually, I told them, and they reacted just as I expected. Gradually they got used to the idea.
The road to the US was full of obstacles: grueling SATs, painful college apps and dealing with
A-Levels at the same time. At times, I felt like giving up, but I refused to let the dream die. I had
help from my parents, to whom I am extremely grateful.

While I also applied to schools in the UK and Canada as back-up plans, my number one
destination was the University Of Notre Dame, and I got in! It really took some time to take
reality in; even being here did not seem real at first. I had read, watched and heard so much about

Sandrine Lareine
it that it felt like living in a dream. I even had to pinch myself a few times to make sure I was
really physically here.

My first step on American ground, excluding the US embassy in Mauritius, was at OHare
International Airport. I was taken aback by the wonderful city that is Chicago: huge buildings
and signs; it was a neat place. It was well-organized in comparison with anywhere in Mauritius
and I instantly fell in love. Getting to campus was the best part though. My campus is beautiful,
grand and teeming with such nice people. It was everything that I wanted and more. I knew the
Notre Dame experience was gonna be worth it, and that I had made the right choice. Im not
saying that I wont get homesick or that I wont feel down, discouraged and sleep-deprived
sometimes, but Ill know that this is where I have to be. This is where I belong.

In the future, I hope to be able to travel to Spain and Germany, which are next on my list. I guess
my country, being that tiny, isolated island in the middle of nowhere, really shaped my dreams
and aspirations. I wanted more, bigger, better.