Rewind: My First Diwali in Chicago

This past weekend was my first Diwali away from home. I was highly upset and was missing my family, and friends badly a week before Diwali. Back home in India, a week before Diwali is so busy with all the preparation and decoration for the festival. It is full of lights, fire-works and crackers, lots of sweets, and social gatherings and parties. But, for the first time, I was alone; I did not even realize that Diwali was just few days away. I had just ended my phone conversation with my parents, and with a deep sigh I logged in to my college email account. I was surprised to receive an invitation for Diwali celebration by Asian Association and International Student Service. The moment I saw the invitation, I registered for the event and was really looking forward to celebrate Diwali with other students.

The event took place in one of the college classrooms on Thursday, 15^th October 2009 at 5 pm. I volunteered my help in coordinating the event. We all met an hour before the event, did decorations, music, and arranging refreshments. The event was open for all the students (Indians as well as non-Indians). I was pleased to see that American students also participated in the event. We all had fun take part in Rangoli (making different designs with color powder) and decorating Diya’s (small earthen lamps). Then, we all offered our prayer to the God, sang traditional Indian Song (Aarti) and had food together. The event was good gratifying moment for me. I am glad that I joined the students’ association and very much content that I participated in the Diwali celebration. I look forward to more such thrilling experiences while my long effortful study life in Chicago, away from home.

Rewind: Recuperating from loneliness and feeling home-sick

For students like me, who haven’t been abroad for studies and are traveling for the first time, things can really be challenging and the first few months can really be strenuous. There can be too many things happening at the same time, coping with the totally new surrounding, adjusting with the new culture, understanding and following the U.S classroom culture and academic expectations, and at the same time doing all the necessary things for your banking and housing, grocery shopping, and other additional errands. I have been lucky enough to have found supporting people around me and this has helped me cope with my initial anxiety, and feeling homesick. There were several occasions, where I would suddenly blank-out; I’d feel lonely and miss my home. But rather than focus on my homesickness, I choose to engage in my studies and class work as a means of keeping myself occupied. Initially I would keep to myself, but soon realized that it made me feel all the more depressed and lonely. It is necessary to socialize, to help revive your energy after a long week of hard work.

The best way to socialize is to join a group or club and participate in other events organized by your college. I’ve found this to be the best way of meeting and interacting with other students and developing a social network. It is safe and economically feasible. Participating in the International Student Organization (ISO) and Asian Association events not only has provided me with a social outlet, but also helped me resolve some of my difficulties.

Rewind: Fish Training Project

As mentioned previously, for one of my classes I am to train a fish. Having never had a fish for a pet, I was happy for the opportunity, but equally nervous. Finally, after collecting enough information about different types of goldfish, I purchased two goldfish during the first week of October. I named them Nemo & Khubbie (means foodie in “Hindi”). Nemo and Khubbie have kept me busy observing and exploring various ways of training them. I have been excited to observe and record their behavior, as they learn different ways of responding to me and my roommates to receive the food. It’s been three weeks and I am already getting attached to them--as strange as it seems, I can’t imagine my day without feeding Nemo and Khubbie. Watching them swim and play in the tank has become a favorite pass-time for me. It rejuvenates me from my everyday long tiresome days. (Orange – Nemo and White – Khubbie)