Photo: Sven Menschel She takes us with her as she guides current students and enjoys the magic of friendships. And she tells us how she ‘disappoints’ her friends: ‘It was as though they were disappointed that my hair wasn’t short/smoothened/coloured, or I didn’t have a bunch of extra piercings or a tattoo, or even an accent for the least.’
Currently on a break, an elaborate visit to my home country India, was definitely on the cards. So, I returned, 2 years later, now as a master’s graduate, back to where I was raised. Delhi, the capital of India, also known for the infamous ‘smog’ and a fairly high crime rate. In spite of the information that reaches the ears and eyes of people living far away, I would like to point out that, Delhi is an incredibly charming place with a character that never disappoints.
The main purpose of my visit was to share the happiness of the milestone I passed with my near and dear ones- the people who really saw me break a sweat and climb the ladder. I started with my school and then my undergrad college. My teachers and professors were delighted to see me and even more to hear about my experience. They set up an interactive session with the current students of my field and gave me the special opportunity to talk to them about my learnings and guide them with my know-how.
Being an alumnus is a very strong position and a great responsibility, especially of WUR due to its sheer grandeur and scale
As I spoke to them, I mentally travelled back to times when other alumni came for such interactions and how their thoughts helped carve my career choices. Being an alumnus is a very strong position and a great responsibility, especially of WUR due to its sheer grandeur and scale. Often when people seek advice, it is almost always when they are in critical decision-making moments. More often than not, the information we give them can sway what they end up choosing. As much as I enjoyed this state of responsibility, I enjoyed reliving cherished memories.
School and college sure were fun, but now it was the turn of those people who made my study years so memorable, my friends. Meeting each of my friends after 2 long years evoked very different emotions. While some were in tears of joy and others couldn’t stop jumping and smiling. The hugs lasted longer until it felt real. Time went by but nothing with or between us changed. It was as though we picked up right where we had to leave things off. Just a couple of days with them fuelled me enough to take on at least two more years apart. That’s the magic of friendship.
I was extremely happy to see things and people were just the way they were, but my friends were a bit surprised to see me the same as they last saw me. My friends expected me to return with a complete makeover! It was as though they were disappointed that my hair wasn’t short/smoothened/coloured, or I didn’t have a bunch of extra piercings or a tattoo, or even an accent for the least. Can’t speak for if I will ever have the above-mentioned additions, but I can for sure say that in these two years I had the other very important makeover, inner transformation. Expect me to elaborate that in my following blog.