I am proud and loud to say that I am the first person in my entire bloodline to study abroad. This journey was never easy, but every challenge made me stronger and every step made me who I am today.

“The life you once prayed for is the life you are living today.”

My journey started with my very first flight ever. Two heavy suitcases, zero connections, zero friends, and thousands of emotions in my heart. I landed in California — the dream place I had imagined since 2020. Back then, it was just a dream in my mind, and today I am graduating with a Master’s degree in Data Science & Analytics

I still remember traveling through the roads of San Francisco for the first time. Everything felt unreal. I was scared, homesick, confused, and constantly thinking about what would happen next. But I kept moving forward. I never looked back.

“Growth begins when you step outside your comfort zone.”

There were cultural shocks, difficult moments, and many nights filled with overthinking, but I also met kind and welcoming people who made me feel that I belonged here.

Along with academics, my leadership journey started in my second semester. Deep inside, I always wanted to help students because I knew exactly how it feels to arrive in a new country with no idea where to go or what to do.

I started as a Global Ally and later became the President of the Indian Student Association. It was a huge responsibility because I was representing an entire community on campus. I tried my best to support incoming and current students — whether it was guiding them, connecting them with the right people, or simply being there for them.

“Success is not only about reaching the top, it’s also about lifting others while climbing.”

Working with students, departments, and organizations taught me one important lesson: student success matters just as much as academics.

During these two years, life tested me in many ways. I faced challenges that nobody saw. I smiled through stress, homesickness, pressure, and uncertainty. I kept fighting battles silently while trying to stay strong for myself and others.

But I never gave up.

“Storms don’t last forever, but strong people do.”

People often see only the last 3–4 years of someone’s life, but they don’t know the struggles behind the journey. Since childhood, life has been full of challenges for me and my family. That’s why reaching this point feels emotional, unreal, and deeply personal.

I proudly received two recognition awards:
🏆 The Achievement & Equity – Student Leader Award
🏆 Valuable Contribution to the University Award

These were not things I asked for — they were earned through hard work, dedication, leadership, and consistency.

From working on datasets, analyzing statistics, and solving academic problems to trying to understand and manage my own life at the same time — this journey was not easy at all.

Still, I made it.

I worked in 6 different roles during graduate school while balancing academics and leadership responsibilities. Every role taught me something valuable and helped me grow into a stronger person, a better leader, and a better human being.

“Your journey may be hard, but that doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means you’re growing.”

Today, I may not have everything planned for tomorrow, and honestly, that’s okay. Life always finds its way. Why destroy today by worrying too much about the future when you’ve already fought so hard to reach this moment?

Celebrate your small wins. Appreciate yourself. A Master’s degree is not easy. Moving across the world alone is not easy. Starting from zero is not easy.

But you did it.

Sometimes, sit quietly and think about your 5-year-old self. Then look at yourself today. You’ll realize how far you’ve come, how much you’ve survived, and how beautifully you’ve grown.

And for that — you should always be proud of yourself. ❤️🎓