Journey from +91 to +1

Hello readers. To start this writing without apologizing won’t be fair to you guys at all. I know it has been a long time since I have written down anything, but as usual, I would like to blame my laziness for it. A lot has happened since we last met. That time I was an intern at Samsung, getting used to the monotonous corporate life, but know I am in Los Angeles, California. Plot twist for sure. But like any other plot twist, it didn’t just happen. A chain of events led to this moment; each played their part just enough to put me in the place I am right now.

Delhi Airport

It’s May 2019, I have got my acceptance from USC. A lot of things have to be accomplished now, some big and some small, but without all, without the synergy, everything will fail. I am waiting for the i20 document from college to book my Visa interview slot. Talking about interviews, my Samsung interview would also take place this month. Had to prepare for that as well. One coding test, which I have already cleared, followed by two interviews, one technical and one HR. Both interviews went well, and the result is in the next paragraph. Booked my Visa interview date of 26^th July, which was very late, to say the least. But usually more slots open, and we can reschedule two times, so it is okay.

Me Working Hard at Samsung

April end, May and the first week of June was hectic months Samsung wise. The internship ended on 7th June, and I was back to Varanasi. A special thanks to Prajjwal Rai for letting me stay at his apartments for the first week in June. My pg would have charged me for the whole month, even if I stayed there for a week. I was in Varanasi for a month, in between went to Bhairawa, Nepal for Ramesh Mamaji’s housewarming Pooja. I have met everyone before, buI spent quality time there. If anyone wonders, how loving and caring a family can be, meet More family. Samsung result came on 20^th, and I was selected for the full time. So now I had a backup option. Said no to Subex.
t this time,

Leaving Manipal

After coming back to Varanasi, I started preparing for the final college report. I went to Manipal for four days. While I was in Nepal, I had rescheduled my visa interview date to 16^th July. I was supposed to join Samsung from 17^th July. I thought my presentation went fine but got a B grade. From Manipal I traveled to Mumbai for the Visa interview. The whole Bansal family was so supportive. Without family support, you cannot do anything; I cannot for sure. And for those who don’t agree with me, if you think your family is not supporting you, you are mistaken, my friend. I ate so many Dabeli this time. Fufaji, bhua, Vikram and Veer, whenever they got the opportunity to get Dabeli for me, they did. Visa interview went well, and my visa was approved. Everyone was so happy. Chachu didn’t sleep only. I can’t even say that this was 1% because of me — all credits to my family. Their prayers, blessings, hard work paid off. Now I can say no to Samsung. I was hoping to get a response from them but never got one.

With Aman, at our new Apartment

Apartment hunting and flight booking were the next two big tasks. I was looking for apartments with Aman Savani, a friend from CCE. He gets tensed too soon, I guess. He was really stressed about the apartments, but thanks to him, we finally booked one. 2353 Portland Street, Apt 40, LA, CA 90007; the new address. It's 1BKH. Our other roommate is Anchit Pandey, he is from Mumbai and did his bachelor’s from BITS Dubai. Nice guy. Flew back to Varanasi on 20^th July. Got into packing. I never got into packing. Others did everything. Papa, Mummy, and Maaji arranging items one by one and stacking them up in one corner.  Papa bought Tava for me to carry to the USA. This is one item, which I will never forget.

Flew to Los Angeles on 9^th August from Delhi. Guddu was already in town. Papa, Mummy and I took Shivganga (train from Varanasi to Delhi) to Delhi. Stayed at Manorma Mausi’s house. It’s not easy to say bye. You think you are ready to handle the emotions which come when you have to say bye, but you get overwhelmed each time. I still vividly remember saying bye to Papa and Mummy from my Hostel in Manipal. It has been four years, but I can still recall that day. This time it was a hundred times more difficult.

My flight was via Hong Kong. Hong Kong has been seeing some protest against the Chinese government for some time, and now they have started protesting at the Hong Kong Airport. My flight was not affected by this because airport authorities had taken proper measures to make sure that international media does not get full news on this. After 26 hours, I landed at LAX. Chachu was present to welcome me. Again, the whole process was made so easy for me. Family saying bye at source airport, family picking up at the destination airport. I didn’t have to worry about booking and sharing some cab to get to the Apartment. I didn’t have to worry about setting up someplace to stay at for the initial two-three days. I had a hotel room ready for me. Chachu had already made this preparation well in advance.

At IKEA

Till 12^th evening, we went store to store to pick up items. Stores like Walmart, Costco, Target, Carmona, etc. to get items like toolkit, shampoo, router, mattress, etc.  My flatmates and I were so glad that Chachu was with us to set up the place. I am pretty sure that if we would have done it on our own, it would have costed more and would have taken weeks. In three-four days, Chachu taught me so many things about time management, about planning, about America and how to do stuff here. To be honest and frank, I don’t know how to do this stuff. I get that it’s reasonable to fly to some city for your nephew to meet him and help him figure out some stuff but to do with such (I don’t have a word to express this).

With Tommy Trojan

Had a few events like Passport verification, Viterbi Orientation, etc. In the following days, I have events like Graduate Career Resource Fair, etc. I went to Santa Monica with Aman. Lovely place, I must say. Now, this is what I call a beach, not some lame beach like that of Manipal. With due respect, beaches in Manipal are overrated. It’s just sand and water: no tides, no shower, no other attraction for tourist.

Leaving you guys with some pictures from these events and places I visited in the first week at USC. Thanks for reading, and as Trojans say, "FIGHT ON!!"