TRANSCRIPT

VICE PRESIDENT PRINCE ADHIKARI'S ADDRESS AT THE WELCOME WEEK 2024 KICKOFF EVENT

24 August, 2024 

Good morning Augustana Class of 2028,

My name is Prince Adhikari, and it is my pleasure and privilege to serve as the Vice President of the Augustana Student Association. I want to first thank President Annie Johnston, for her speech. 

Four years ago in my senior year of high school, I was applying for colleges in the United Kingdom but God had different plans for me. When I first came to the US and joined Augustana, I have to admit, I spent a good part of my first semester trying to figure out what people were saying. You see, I did my 12 years of schooling in the British school system, so when someone mentioned a "coat”, I got to know that the “jacket” we wear is actually a “coat” here. And words like “candies instead of sweets or chocolates”, “elevator instead of lift”, “cookies instead of biscuits”, were a different story. It was a bit of a learning curve, to say the least! And also some moments like my international student orientation. The International Programs Office, which we call "the IPO", was hyping up the environment, saying we’d see the mountains the next day at Mount Rushmore and that it would be quite a hike. As someone from Nepal who has seen the likes of Everest, seeing Mount Rushmore was definitely a different kind of mountain experience! 

But those little mix-ups were part of what made my first year so memorable—and honestly, they were a great way to make new friends and share a laugh. As confusing as it was at times, those experiences helped me appreciate the incredible diversity and richness of our campus community.

No matter what walk of life you come from, or what faith background you hold, one thing that really stood out to me at Augustana is how we’re all welcomed with open arms. As the first Hindu to lead the student body, I embrace the values of our institution, guided by its Lutheran principles, which emphasize the importance of being "called" and "empowered." This means we’re all encouraged to serve others and make a positive impact, whether that’s through our studies, our actions, or how we engage with one another.

So, whether you're navigating the differences between "coats" and "jackets," or finding your place within this community, know that you’re not alone. We’ve all had our moments of confusion and discovery, and that’s what makes this journey so exciting. At Augustana, life comes at you fast—you’ll blink and your first year will be over, with challenging upper-level classes before you know it. Who knows, you might even find yourself running for ASA in your second year and being elected as Vice President or beyond. It’s all about turning moments of confusion into opportunities to lead, learn, and laugh—guided by the values that make Augustana such a special place. Welcome to Augustana! We’re thrilled to have you here. Have to a bold future!

Thank you!

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