Life in Pune: How Students Cope, Struggle, and Find Their Rhythm

Reported by Devapriya K J & Kajal Bhukan
Pune, 1st June 2025: Pune, fondly known as the ‘Oxford of the East’, is more than just a city, it’s an experience. Every year, thousands of students arrive in Pune with hopes of building a future, studying at prestigious institutions, or launching their careers. They come from every part of the country and even from overseas, with varied dreams and backgrounds. While many end up settling in the city, for those who leave, Pune always leaves a lasting impression.

Pune has a vibe. It’s the food, the people, the culture, the architecture of Shaniwar Wada, the charm of the Peths, and the ever-changing weather. The city comes to life in small street-side cafes to large-scale festivals, newcomers feel the heartbeat of a dynamic city that speaks to them with gestures that excite them. But beneath this warmth lies a real struggle—one that every student faces in their journey to adapt and survive.

Accommodation: The First Battle
Finding a place to stay is often the biggest hurdle for newcomers. For those who don’t get into college hostels, the soaring rental rates can be overwhelming. Paying guests (PGs) and shared flats are more affordable alternatives but still come with their challenges.

“I was lucky to get into the university hostel,” says Shruti Mishra, a student from Gujarat. “But many of my friends are struggling with high rents and long daily commutes that take 2–3 hours via public transport.”

Food: The Taste of Home is Hard to Replace
After a few months, the biggest thing students begin to miss is home-cooked food. No matter how many new restaurants they try, nothing compares to the familiarity of their mother’s cooking.

“I miss the food back home,” says Kiran Dhone from Baramati. “There’s something comforting about the way food tastes at home that you just don’t get here.”

Shruti adds, “You do get everything in Pune nowadays, but it can be expensive. Thankfully, many small stalls and canteens offer affordable meals—they’re a lifeline for students like us.”

Travel: Time is the Real Cost
Living in Pune means depending heavily on local transport. The PMPML bus service is a budget-friendly option, but it’s time-consuming.

“If I need to be somewhere at 9 AM, I have to leave by 8 or even earlier just to be safe,” says Kiran. “Relying on buses every day is tiring. Uber or Ola is convenient but expensive, especially with changing meter fares and traffic jams.”

For students juggling classes, part-time jobs, and self-study, travel becomes a hidden burden that chips away at their time and energy.

Making Friends: From Strangers to Lifelines
One of the main concerns of students moving to a new place is to find a genuine friend. It might be overwhelming for some to handle the situation, but Pune’s diverse student population helps the newcomers to ease the situation.

“During the initial days – I just go to college and come back to my room, ” says Vaikashy, a second year college student. “Overtime we started working on college and group events, which made our conversations comfortable”

With time, cultural events, shared hostel struggles, club activities and tea breaks often turn into a bond that becomes emotional support for students.

Language Barrier: Bridging Culture with Word
Pune is known for its diverse student population, language can be a real struggle for students, especially from the southern side. Even though classes are in Hindi or English, the day-to-day life involves Marathi – the local language.

Personally, during my initial days, I remember feeling lost in this city, when I couldn’t understand what the cab drivers or shopkeepers were saying. But now, I just ask my Marathi friends or I use Google Translate.

Even so, some students break this barrier by choosing the local language and they find learning it interesting.

Financial Independence: The Real Lesson Outside Class
Moving to a new city comes with a big amount of learning and responsibility. One of the biggest challenges and valuable lessons students learn is money management.

“I used to ask my parents for money,” says Ishika, a third-year college student, “ but now I do a part-time job to manage my monthly expenditure”.

Part-time jobs always teach a great lesson of responsibility and maturity to students. But at the same time, some students find it challenging to manage both their study and working hours.

A City That Teaches More Than Just Academics

Life in Pune isn’t always easy. From finding a roof over their heads to navigating unfamiliar food, travel, and language barriers, students often go through a period of intense adjustment. It is within this stage of life that many learn personal responsibilities for the first time, whether it is taking care of laundry, budgeting meals, or managing struggles independently. Yet, these very struggles build emotional strength and self-reliance.

Pune offers more than just degrees—it offers lessons in survival, friendship, resilience, and self-discovery. This is a city that slowly changes one’s own perspective of life expands the comfort zones and favors those who remain open to change. In the end, for most students, Pune becomes not just a place to study but a second home that stays with them for life.