I’ve long wanted to write this post, but didn’t due to professional reasons. Now that I’ve resigned, here goes.
I’m leaving Indian shores in a month to the American West Coast. For higher studies.
Yes, I was supremely happy when I got the notification. It’s sort of worn off now.
What’s not worn off is the gratefulness I feel towards all those who stood by me through my trying times and pushed me to get this far. My parents, first and foremost, without whose encouragement and support I would probably have taken the easier path. And all my already-slogging-in-the-USA pals, especially Shruthi, Swati and Bigshow without whose “App off this year, don’t waste time” lectures I wouldn’t have filled in any applications this year,… without whose large doses of help my apps wouldn’t have been as good. And the friends in Bangalore, who made my time here much more fun, much more bearable.
I’m aware life’s not going to be easy. Not after being used to more Sodexho coupons than I can handle, and having to get used to preparing my own meals. Not after being used to always having enough to get some glad rags or handy gadgets and having to get used to living on a student budget. Not after being used to having a part of the day to myself, when I can forget about work, to having to get used to being a student 24/7. It isn’t going to be unmanageable, but it isn’t going to be a cakewalk either.
But what the hell, that’s part of the deal of being able to work on what I like.
Or atleast, what I think I like. I’ll know in less than two years from now.
All the worries, doubts and reflections aside, California, Here I Come.
In a reader
The NITK Numbskulls Page 
Congrats! And best wishes.
thanks 🙂
Congrats!!
While it will be neither unmanageable nor a cakewalk, I can tell you, from my experience, that you will find that life in grad school here will be very exciting and rewarding. Stressful at times, sure, but that will never come in the way, unless you want it to. So, have fun! All the best!
🙂
Congrats! Which university? Masters or Masters/PhD?
And why have u linked it to The OC? it was an excruciatingly lame show.
university of california, at Irvine. masters. linked it to The OC because irvine is in Orange County.
Congrats! Its the minority that decide to give up the lazy employed life for the student again life..
a very frustrated burgeoning minority.
Indeed! And here I am, a week to go before I leave for the shores (Imaginary) of Texas having rejected a royal paycheck from BPCL 😛
Does that say something of the human race? Are we gamblers?
to the sylvan surroundings of Rice university, that haven of chemical engineers from NITK?
all the going-for-higher-studies says is we all aspire for a better life than we have now.
Rice University it is! As many as 3 from my batch of Chemical ’09..