So, what’s it like, being here? I sneak a guilty peek at the string of unreplied messages sitting in various corners of my phone. Dear friends and family from home all seem to want to know how I’m doing, what college is like, what I’ve been up to and more … You’d think after nearly a month here, I’d have the answers by now, but truth be told, I haven’t even began to figure out how to articulate the wonderful experience being a Jumbo has revealed itself to be.
Now, let me try to put my thoughts on paper (screen?). As anticipated, life here at Tufts can get extremely busy – we won’t say we weren’t warned though! The average weekly class schedule may not tell much, but the thing about this community is that there is a bubbly, warm and ever-inviting plethora of activities going on, all the time. From the buzz of General Interest Meetings (GIMs) of the first few weeks, to first practices, to open lectures, to free food on the quad (always a priority), there’s literally stuff happening at every single moment, and it doesn’t take much dugging to find out cool things going on. By attending these events, chances are, you’ll get to meet cool people, whose interests intersect yours at sometimes unexpected points.
Classes are absolutely fascinating (most of the time, for me at least, but hey, I’ve always been the overly enthusiastic one). I find myself nerding out way more frequently than I ever have before, because really, every class I have the privilege of being a part of presents something new that nudges me to think differently in a certain way. At best, something we read or watch, or an insight a classmate or professor shares gently shifts my perspective; at the very least, I still find myself engaged, trying to wrap my head around new ideas and figure out my own stand on things.
There is the most exciting sense of possibility that fills the air – almost every free wall in common spaces is covered with a rainbow of posters, all waving at you to join a club, audition for a group, apply for an internship, or just come for the free food (again, priorities) …
In just three weeks, I’ve found myself stumbling upon a dizzying array of little and big moments, including:
In short, Tufts seems to have a knack for bombarding us with questions, curious insights, weird ideas, overwhelming support and the nicest little moments. Here is a place where I feel comfortable to be myself, thoroughly, in all this warmth; but at the same time, am being stretched and challenged in the best ways possible.
Above all, the experience is about the people – they’re not lying when they say that everyone here has an incredible story to tell. You just have to be patient enough to get to hear it. I am so deeply grateful to be surrounded by these inspiring, humble, creative and often weird people who I get to call friends for the next four years and beyond.
At the end of my first month here, I am only beginning to get the hang of things (I’m not getting lost as much now!), but all signs and my gut instinct tell me that the road ahead? It’s going to be nothing short of amazing.