It has been long since I published something. There was
always a theme or I can say a topic for me to write and discuss about. Sitting
on my bed I am just wondering that starting college is like an entire new
life. It was a difficult task and
basically I had to leave behind my skills or rather I would compile it as my
free time thoughts or in a simpler term my extra activities. I did see myself
somewhere writing stories for bed time and little toddlers like the Thumbelina
or Peter Pan and Captain Hook. Just that I didn't consider myself that capable
of writing.
By 19th May, I will officially complete 9 months
of my life breathing free air and being more independent, responsible for my
own consequences which to quote can be great outcomes or even the bad ones.
Well to be more specific living alone without family which usually does not
happen with Indian girls, is like a dream in fairy land coming true. But then
dedicating your 5 more years to studies just when you throw your square
academic cap is a real hard decision. Well here I am as a medical student in
the United Arab Emirates, Middle East. When I first landed in Dubai for
vacations in grade 8 summer holidays, I knew that the UAE had something to
offer me. I was just not sure of what it was. I hope I am pretty sure of it
now. It was a city of different kind, contained the basic Arab culture but gave
enough freedom for other cultural backgrounds. One of the reasons I got to move
in to this country was because of how it somewhere camouflaged with my
lifestyle. And yes, the elder ones to look after you.
I remember walking in to the airport with my brother,
collecting my student visa, passing through immigration, it was new this time.
I felt grown up and that I have found the ultimatum for at least the next 4 to
5 years. Being in one of those fields that take a lot of courage and handle the
life of a person, is a great challenge, one of the reasons for me to accept
that call from the administration office, offering me a seat in the university.
I was confused if it was the right decision for me, but if I stayed this far,
then yes it should be.
First year to end in 3 months, by then I wouldn't be a
fresher in college or I wouldn't have to tell myself that it takes time to get
adjusted. Usually the high schools teach you to be strong and brave but for me
it did towards the end but the college gave me a lot more exposure. I was
warned of the mistakes that one can go in to, like to feel left out and not
mingling, but believe me it is not that difficult here. It feels good and to be
more socially active.
Well this is how it started. The first day when I reach at
the dorms, it was more like a hotel, except that you have a security at your
back, which can turn out to be pretty annoying. I meet this entirely different
person from the same place as I came and she seemed excited and happy about
starting new. The way of talking and sense of humor made me feel at ease. So it wasn't a bad beginning at the dorms. I am then taken to my room and she walks
with me talking and I just couldn't get less excited to meet my roommate. But I
maintained my innocent and diplomatic look just to be on the safe side. She
comes with her hair open, wet dripping, in a bluish green and yellow suit,
apologizing for being late at the door. I had a feeling I had seen this girl
somewhere, just couldn't recollect. She seemed like a one bright girl and all I
had to consider was just the room. I did and I decided, it is my home here. Her
introduction was interesting because it was the first time someone had so many
words to say in the first meeting. I actually found it difficult to catch up so
I just admired her. Next day was college, first day orientation, deciding the
clothes to wear, well it was pretty informal. I walk in to the university for
the first time and I found it different yet the same. I know it might not make
sense but it will gradually.
Starting something new might seem simple but it takes the
courage and strength. I got to see a variety of people, some smart, some weird,
some unique, some not predictable. Well everyone is different in their own
ways. You cannot compliment or make fun of someone by telling them that you
look the same or you are the same. It is offensive and probably disheartening.
Everybody wishes to be different. My first sets of friends are the sweetest people.
Everyone cannot be perfect. As long as they try to be happy and be together,
you cannot expect more. The third day in college is when everyone starts to
try. There are not much hot guys but
there are good guys who wouldn't misuse you or play with you. There are pretty
girls but nothing can be spoken about the pretty ones. As they say it is not
enough to be pretty. I didn't see myself in any category. My dorm mates were
good and cool. They understood you and they were together. I guess that
continued for a month or two. But then later, things change. You learn to
become more smart and inspective of many aspects. I will not deny, but I was
inspective and judging. That is how it always worked. This reminds me of the
guy who visited our house on some occasion and he did give me some good
compliments about my character through my handwriting. Not that I don’t
consider others opinions, but I believe I know who I am.
After 4 months, things started to settle in place. You learn
about people, about whom you can trust and how well you can get along.
Sometimes you have to be happy about people and things, that you leave yourself
way behind. This was a big challenge for me. Well that is what it is all about.
College is not only education but your social life, your presentation of
personality, your inner self. It is a time that helps you rediscover what you
are. Also by 4 months you should get used to the cadavers and skeletons.
Anatomy is all about the body structures and it is the most arduous subject in
the first year. Physiology combines the mechanisms and numbers that can be
interesting if you want to make it. Biochemistry is a scoring subject. My
interest has not really touched the three of them, so I am just waiting for the
second year pathology. I decided that if I would take up Bachelor of Medicine
and Bachelor of Surgery, I should keep my foundation strong for oncology and
surgery. It has been a long time interest.
In 6 months I got pretty good friends. Well one of them is a
very understanding person. He doesn't like to compliment himself much. But he
has his own ways of handling things. Sometimes he even denies to the facts that
he does have some good aspects in life that people will be surprised with. We
have a nice group which we don’t like to call it as, but everyone is out there for
each other. An amazing person, who makes sure that everything, is fine with
everyone. She goes around trying to put things in place, especially in my life.
A man with dignity and humor is a great combination that I have seen for the
first time in another pal. A sweet girl who shares the same shelter with me,
she is indescribable. There are a lot more. Our first big union was in our
first Medical Conference. The date 12.12.12 was a bright day for all of us. And
to add up 12:12 was even colder on the ice rink with each of us falling because
of our lack of ability to skate. These little memories hold on to us and we
have to carry the good ones ahead and learn from the bad ones.
Life can be made easy by trying to accept what we have and
move forward with greater ambitions and always cherish a new beginning.
