So finally I have arrived at this juncture of my life where
for the first time I have to leave my beloved home, family and friends. But
feeling sad to leave doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go.
It all started in May last year when the real brainstorming
went on about pursuing a master’s degree abroad. Little did I know back then
that I would be under such a mindset that I am currently in. Slowly the first
phase of preparing for examinations started. I very well remember listening to
Narendra Modi’s speech on 15th August and ironically that was the
same day I decided to leave my country and venture abroad for further studies
(PS- I booked my GRE date that day). I had already joined classes and the same
old routine coaching classes, practice sessions and mock tests went on for
about 3 months. Trust me I wasn’t going to the US till about 5 days after my
GRE exam. It was Pre-Diwali day that was my D-day. I scored decent if not great
(not satisfied to be honest). Then as events panned out US was my destination!
(Lol I had sent all my scores to German universities, huh never mind). Then it
was panic time, US universities have very early deadline for application for
Fall admissions. I had my engineering exams, TOEFL exam to appear and prepare
all those tedious statement of purpose, letter of recommendations etc. But once
it was decided, I went for the kill. For that matter I gave my GRE, Engineering
exams and TOEFL within a span of 20 days.
Thus my first phase of journey abroad had ended on a good
note with decent scores. Then started level 2- The application process.
Unending research about courses, universities, locations went on for many days.
Surprisingly the first university out of the nine that I had applied is the one
I am joining now. It gives a feeling like it was meant for you man! The process
of drafting SOPs and especially LORs was cumbersome. Uploading LORs through
professors was one hell of a task which I am sure every MS aspirant must have
gone through. By the time I was still applying to universities, one of them
rejected within 2 days time which was a rude shock that I could not digest
easily. But constant support from family and friends helped me leave it behind
and digest 4 such rejects. Meanwhile there came a few admits but the one which
I cared for was pending since ages. Finally the day arrived after numerous late
night email and application status browsing. So there it was, my destination
was decided and all I needed to do next was to study hard for my engineering
and end it on a flawless note.
Visa was the final thing which could make or break my dream
of studying in the US. Accordingly me and my family left no stone unturned to
ensure a smooth passage to my visa interview. Then one fine morning in Mumbai
on the 23rd June, I was granted an official permission to study in
America. It was one of the best days in the entire application process and I
would rank it on par with the day I received my admit. Within a few days, I
received my bachelorette degree as well and this was the final nail in the
coffin. Nobody could stop me from going to the US except me and a few special
people.
Here I am now after crossing all the hurdles and ready to
embark upon a totally different and unknown territory. Life has been kind to me
and I have full faith that this new expedition will be a great one. This new
journey is bound to change me as a person. I will be meeting new people, making
new friends, indulging in a different culture altogether. But I also know that
there are going to be tough times ahead, there will be times where I would be
homesick, I would dearly miss my family. What I think must be done is to stay
positive and hang in there and as it is rightly said that clear skies never
make good pilots. Apart from all the temptations of this world, I believe my
primary aim is to pursue higher education and do what I am supposed to. For
when it’s time for you to venture out, don’t let fear have you looking back at
what you are leaving behind. The first step to live the life that you want, is
to live the life you don’t want.
Where we love is home, home that our feet may leave but not
our hearts.
Fact of the matter is that this is going to be my first
independence day outside my beloved motherland. Long live India.
Until next time…tschüss
