Experiences
Lessons Learned
Ajal RC
Drake University '22
"Many of my friends used to comment that I was a horrible teacher, which I found out not to be true when I was a TA. I found myself as an ambivert, so even I travel a ton and hang out with my friends a lot, I need some alone time.
I was skeptical that it would take a long time to improve my English, but it happened much earlier than I expected.
I never imagined I would get the typical American habit of collecting shoes, but sadly I have become a victim."
Krishna Sharma
NW University in Qatar '22
"...The most important thing I have discovered about myself is that I love academia. I used to teach tuition classes, but I almost never seriously thought of becoming a teacher/professor.
At NUQ, my RA and TA experiences have attracted me to academia, and I continue to get advice from my mentor about the next steps. I have read how competitive and difficult it can be to get a position, or retain one, even after a Ph.D. from a good school, but if life permits, I’d like to pursue a Ph.D. and, eventually, work as a professor."
Archana Adhikari
Trinity College '22
"Coming from a small close-knit community in Nepal, I was used to people (teachers or parents) understanding me, making decisions for me, and telling me each step without speaking.
But, here in the US, I learnt no one knows what you expect, what you struggle with, what you are good at, what you want help with, unless you tell them. Most importantly, I learnt that it is totally okay to stand for yourself when needed."
Saru Sharma
Wingate University '22
"I've realized that I am way more capable than I give myself credit for. I have always been a shy person. There used to be a time when I was so reluctant to speak up.
Being the only Nepalese at Wingate has thrown me to the deep end of independence, where I have learned to speak up for myself. My time at Wingate has made me realize my self-worth, which has instilled self-confidence in me."
Ishwor Giri
Jacobs U Bremen (Germany) '22
"I never knew I could survive on my own, but here I am, just a year away from graduation. I constantly thought living alone would be difficult and would require support from others.
Now, I should be just fine wherever I go."
Sujata Pokharel
Concordia University '22
I discovered that I enjoyed learning the socio-political status of people in different parts of the world. Often, I have conversations with friends from different regions of the world and learn how certain things work in their culture/religion/society. I have learnt to appreciate all the cultures, no matter how new and different they are to me. I also love to taste vegetarian foods from all around the world!
Gaurav Pandey
Drexel University '23
"I never danced or played any instruments before I came to the states, but I was stupid/ brave enough to take a hip-hop dance class and guitar class.
I ended up doing well and getting A's."
Cyrus Raj Gautam
Quest University (Canada) '22
"I am capable of doing self-study for subjects that aren’t taught at university.
Also, I am very persistent in following the field that I find interesting, no matter how complicated it is."
Nilson Chapagain
SUNY Korea '22
"It is not the outside who should be changing you, but it is you who should change yourself. Taking control of being myself is one of the biggest lessons I came to realize."
Bishesh Pote
University of Texas at Arlington '22
"I discovered that tiny gestures like offering smile to someone boosts my mood."