PAA: People Are Amazing
Grab a seat, watch the world go by and capture the opportunities that life gives you. That’s what we’re told as kids… today I was reminded of that fact.
This picture was taken on my 20th birthday. Months ago, I know. But it represents a time in my life where my true passion for people came to fruition.
Avik was my landlord but also a valued friend. He understood the difficulties that being an international student given that he studies a Bangladeshi PhD at UT Austin. He taught me about physics past my prior knowledge I had acquired by being an avid fan of the Big Bang Theory. A great supporter of my work and an advocate for changing life paths and being ambitious.
Cedric I knew for three weeks, he was a Swiss intern at a tech start-up in Austin. The first day I met him we discussed deep thoughts — whether he should stay in Austin or go home to complete his university studies. He later decided to go home and return in a few years, one that he is content to have made. He dropped me off to campus in style — with my rear-end burning from the exhausts of a motorcross bike. An experience I will never forget.
Two gentlemen that I have special places for in my heart. Two gents that I wish to visit soon. This is why I LOVE people.
Today, I had a job to do first and foremost. Make people who had offers for QMUL Geography feel welcome and at home. This was a task that was right up my alley. I enjoy speaking to people, learning their stories and understanding their decision making.
The world is made up of people who are trying to define themselves. Stand out from the crowd and shine bright. It’s a battle to identify yourself especially when everyone questions you and interrogates your every move. I like to be there at some point in the journey, it’s a privilege of mine.
Some people had interviews to gain unconditional offers. They were nervous, obviously. By putting myself in their shoes I was able to judge how they were feeling and adapt my responses accordingly.
It might sound weird but I like to reassure people of their abilities, these people were clearly some of the brightest in the country. There were people in that room with no opportunity to get that unconditional assurance. It might sound weird because I detest when people reassure me of my abilities.
I’m the example of someone who rarely takes his own advice. A flaw of mine. One that I’ve been working on. I’ve tried to figure out the problem. I think the route cause lies in the fact that I don’t want to appear vulnerable.
While I admit this is a problem of the past more than the present and I have that cognition to appreciate advice, tendencies do persist.
Maturity and becoming an adult doesn’t always mean that you learn about yourself. It takes trigger points to change. It doesn’t happen overnight. Often our cognitive system needs to be shocked and harassed into changing our views and actions.
I met so many people today that were unsure of themselves. Yet they had offers from LSE, UCL and other top UK institutions. The reason I can empathise with them is because I was there two years ago. I had an offer from UCL, it was my firm choice. I missed the grades and I ended up QMUL. I wouldn’t have it any way. I have the perfect balance of academics and social activities, a balance that has led me to successes in the UK and abroad.
We are often scared of others, retain our humility and shy away from conversation. I advocate to break this barrier and be open to rejection, vulnerability and emotion. It’s something I’ve been doing from September 2016 and it has changed me.
I’ve gone from a social introvert to someone so passionate about people that others say they couldn’t believe I had social issues earlier in my life.
That’s why I love people. We’re all the same, we all want similar goals — it’s just we take different paths to get there.
Opening my mind to different possibilities is the best thing I’ve ever done.