The past year that flew by...

What am I doing here? This sounds like a very philosophical question, doesn't it? Well.. it's not as deep a question as you think. I had this discussion with a good friend of mine some days ago about the reason for our coming to the USA. You would say the obvious answer would be 'to study'. But coming to think of it, it is not just that. You would also argue that it is to earn more money, to lead a better life.. but giving it some thought made us realize and concur that none of these are the real reasons.

There are some damn good educational institutions in India and I need not come to Purdue for that. Although one could argue that getting into those places is a different game altogether. But that's not the point. I did have the option to study in India. I could have kept working in India, switched a few jobs and earned more money. And if you have money you can definitely lead a good life in India. So why did I come to the US? I would say it is simply for the experience; to meet different people, to see different cultures, to observe people around me... their problems, their struggles, their triumphs, their joys, their actions, their behavior; to experience living away from my close ones and find more special people to be friends for life. In essence, to grow as a person.

It has been one year since I came to Purdue. Well.. one academic year. But what an year it was!! Academically it was of course an enriching experience. I have a wonderful mix of classmates, interacting with whom, is always a pleasure. I am glad my b-school has a great mix of nationalities. Where else would you get to meet a South Korean army captain and get his views first hand on their political situation? Or talk to an Egyptian classmate right when her countrymen are writing history? Or learn from Chinese classmates what they have been learning about Tibet and Nepal in their schools?

Outside school too it could not have been better. Well..actually it could have been, but anyways :)

I have been fortunate to get a bunch of really good 'real' friends here. I say 'real' because after coming here my 'virtual' friends list on Facebook has ridiculously shot up and the latest number I see is 850!! It is amazing to see the social dynamics among these real friends. Gradually and inevitably this 'universal set' of friends around you get bunched up into various 'sets and subsets'. There are the intersections which sometimes face a tough time managing two groups. And then sometimes there are attempts at unions which are rather difficult to manage. In a community formed thousands of miles away from home, usually you really don't have too much of a choice in choosing these sets. And the ensuing politics, bitching and gossiping is quite entertaining. I must admit I am pretty neutral and diplomatic when it comes to such situations. I also got a really special friend here, the kind of friend with whom you share almost everything. I already have such a set of friends and our friendship has stood the test of time. I just hope this new friendship also follows the same path.

When I came to Purdue my roommate told me about the typical stages in an Indian grad students life here. It is excitement to begin with, followed by a brief bout of depression around fall and winter time and then its all good again as you get used to the life here. Then you visit India in the 2nd winter and have a great trip and come back. Then you finish your course and start with your job. Your 2nd trip to India, although exciting, is riddled with constant thought about your job and life back in US. Your initial thoughts of one day going back to India gradually fade and you eventually settle in the US for good justifying your decision with various arguments.

I have been saying, maybe like hundreds of other Indians, that after a few years I would go back. But my roommate also said that those who do go back usually do so not by choice but due to circumstances. I agree that his argument is based on an observed trend and that I too will be staying here for some years at least. I just hope I can prove him wrong :) But till then, I'm here and waiting for another eventful year ahead!!