University of Cincinnati - then and now!

Dear You,

A year back, had anyone asked me where I'd be a year from then, I would have told them that I would be doing my Masters in some top notch university in MEMS. Had they opted to know what I meant by top notch, I would have told them the world famous 'acad alphabets' MIT,Stan,UCB or the like! Well, that was one year ago! So, I think I can be excused.

Had you asked me sometime in June, I was almost sure of attending the Case Western Reserve University, up north at Cleveland. I would'nt have really said anything different on July 10th, hardly a week before my VISA interview! It was a time when I had almost forgotten my option of Cincinnati. I admit, I took my UC admit for granted. I got a tuition fee waiver and I had a scholarship from Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited in June and so, I knew Cincinnati was a safe option. I knew Cincinnati was the reason why I felt so sure I would land in America finally. I knew it was Cincinnati that was helping me look beyond in my life but I wud simply not admit.

I was frantically trying for a chance for some financial aid in Case Western inspite of that school's policy not to offer financial assistance for Masters. I was just thinking of something other than Cincinnati for I knew Cincinnati was for sure! I wanted more magic in life! I wanted just something more!!

But the last week before my VISA interview had a different story to tell. My Cincinnati I-20 had not come yet and it came exactly on the 12th of June when I had my interview on 19th. I was sure things are falling in place for Cincinnati and it was just as safe as I knew it was and so, was not really concerned on receiving the I-20. I did not even bother to see if the tuition fee waiver was properly printed. I did not see even if it was for the proper Masters degree. I did not even see the I-20 properly, just because Case was all I had in mind and I simple wudnt step down to Cincinnati!! I was busy trying for changing my admit in Case to Ph.D hoping some aid then and stuff like these. I just had my inbox flowing with mails from Case profs. I was chatting with those who were going to Case so that I can team up with them when I go there. I was simply mentally in Case and I never saw the reality.

It was on the night of 13th did I see that my Department name was typed as 'Environmental' by mistake and it shud have been 'Electrical'!!! Wow!! That was just as dramatic as moments could get! So, that final resort, that last safe shot, that 'dear old Cincinnati' was no more one!!! It was hard to face that moment! It was hard to see that reality had something else to offer! I was simply shell shocked. For once, my future seemed very very dark. I was simply lost.

Then, I rang up the Cincinnati Co-ordinator for the first time and told her this. She was more than willing to help and she gave me a temporary letter that I could take to the VISA Interview in case my corrected I-20 does not arrive on time. Suddenly, Cincinnati became so dear and I was trying with all my luck to see that everything falls into place for the VISA interview. For once, I dismissed Case!!

I got my I-20 on 17th. 19th dawned and it was my day. I was a happy man at the end with a VISA for the University of Cincinnati. I relished it so much coz I had got that after almost loosing it. I was really glad I got the VISA and my academic career was not blocked. I was not sure had I missed a lot by not choosing Case but my heart was beating for Cincinnati then for I knew I had to be financially secure which I would be now.

From then, it was all about Cincinnati!! Be it Phone calls or Emails, I was in touch with many Cincinnati people. I came to know a senior called Vishnu here who was also from hometown Coimbatore. We became good friends over the internet. I was glad two others from my own university will be attending UC. I teamed up with them for staying together. So, days flew like this and August 26th saw me landing in Cincinnati, Ohio!!

Its been about 5 months now since I embarked upon this new stage in my life. With courses of my liking, with real close friends of my frequency, with peace of mind of enviable standards, I lead a very very happy life here! I do feel I wouldnt have adapted myself so much as I did here had I been in some other place. I had enough seniors to help me out, enough friends to make me feel at home and enough time to walk on my own! The transition from India to United States was a cake walk for me and I owe that entirely to my seniors and friends here in Cincinnati.

UC is something I treasure now. After 5 months, I do feel at times that this experience will be over in just a year and a half from now. I am afraid I might feel odd when my seniors graduate this summer and leave me with no one to look forward to. I just am so happy at this place with just the way I am, that I feel like wanting this life for a lifetime!

Call it destiny or fate, I am glad things worked out very well for me. Life has taught me the valuable lesson to love what I get and to understand that whatever I get is something that many millions are craving for. Life has taught me never to underestimate anything and not to degrade a thing just because it is already in possession. Years down the lane, I am sure I will be able to cite the Cincinnati experience as one of my very best in my life. I just am so thankful!!

Definitely,

Me.