Year In Review – 2021

This past year has easily been one of the most challenging times I have ever experienced- a sentiment I know is common around the world. After being sent out of our sophomore year dorms only 14 months ago, I suddenly find myself a rising senior. Everyone says college goes by quickly, but the pandemic has accelerated this process more than I could have envisioned.

Over the course of this year, I have been working at a civil rights law firm. I have loved this experience, and learned so much about what I want to do in the future. I am extremely passionate about advocating against civil rights violations and understand how important this work is when trying to achieve racial equity. I have steadily worked through majority of my double major course work over the past year, so I am left with a bunch of GEs that I am excited to explore senior year!

I am leaving my position with the law firm in two weeks time and am currently figuring out my next moves for the summer. I am interviewing with a handful of organizations, all related to the intersection of race, policy and law. I have also recently been accepted into the Washington Academic Internship Program (WAIP) and am so excited to move to DC for fall semester and work there!

Though this year has been extremely difficult, I have learned a lot about myself. I have learned to be kinder to myself and my body, because it has taken me through so much (including recovering from COVID). I have learned how much I cherish the people in my life but also find comfort and peace in being alone. I was able to spend months of quality time with my family last year, which was a pleasant change. My brother and I never imagined we would be back home in our 20s with our parents, but we loved the time that we could all spend together. As the end of COVID-19 is in sight here, I find myself worrying on end about my family in India as COVID runs rampant. The duality of the life I lead here is very apparent, which mixes up the feelings of hope and immense privilege with sorrow and anxiety.

I am looking forward to the summer here in Columbus and my move to D.C. in the fall. In one year, I’ll be graduating! Time truly flies.