“Hello everyone, I'm genuinely delighted to see all of you here today for this wonderful ceremony. My name is Anand, and I come from Mumbai, India, which is often compared to the New York of India—a place known for its spices and Bollywood dances, quite a contrast to the quite streets of Chestertown you can Imagine the culture shock that one might experience.
Now, you might be picturing me arriving in the U.S. on the back of an elephant, given the wild tales often spun about my homeland. But no, I took a plane, though I've got to say, my journey at Washington College has been every bit as adventurous as any elephant ride could be!
Growing up, America was this distant, almost mythical land I'd seen on screen—a place where anything seemed possible. And back in high school, I was so hooked on American sitcoms and movies, I didn’t apply to a single university in India after high school. I was all in, betting everything on a dream to study thousands of miles away.
I came to the Washington college beginning of sophomore year as I had done my freshmen year online due to covid. It was the first time I ever came to the US. When I landed. the first thing I noticed was—everything seemed so big! The cars were bigger, the buildings, and even the food portions were generous enough to feed a small family back home. It was my first real taste of the American dream—super-sized and more real than any of those dazzling scenes from the movies that had captivated me as a teenager.
Fast forward to today, and here I am, living that dream, standing before you at the culmination of an extraordinary journey at Washington College. It’s funny to look back at the younger me watching those films back home, I never imagined that I’d actually be here, a part of this amazing community, living out my own real-life American adventure.
But it wasn’t just about stepping into this new world. It was also about finding a home away from home, thanks to the incredible folks at the Global Education Office. They are there for us from the moment we arrived, helping navigate this new landscape—making sure we settled in, got comfortable, and really started to make the most of my time here.
And what a time it’s been! Here at Washington College, the liberal arts environment encouraged me to step out of my usual boundaries, leading me to classes I never thought I'd explore. Although my primary focus was business, my curiosity led me to computer science tapping into a passion for data and algorithms that I never knew I had. It has quietly paved the way for my next academic step. I'm now looking forward to pursuing a master's in quantitative finance, where I can leverage my finance and computing skills.
Speaking of exploring, let me tell you about my study abroad experiences in Paris and Hong Kong Perhaps one of the most transformative episodes of my college life and I believe that studying abroad is a crucial life turning part of any student as all have experienced. Wandering through the streets of Paris, I learned to savor every moment, whether it was enjoying a simple croissant by the Seine or talking a walk near the Eiffel Tower. And Hong Kong? A bustling metropolis where tradition meets modernity at every corner, teaching me the value of adaptability and the fast pace of global commerce.
Studying in Hong Kong and Paris, and traveling to around 8 countries during that time period, These travels didn’t just add stamps to my passport; they expanded my network of friends to nearly every continent. Yes, I’ve made friends in so many countries, there’s just one place left where I don’t know anyone—Antarctica. But give me time, I’m working on it!
Reflecting on these experiences, I invite each of you to think about your own unique journeys here at Washington College. Think about the challenges you’ve overcome, the knowledge you’ve gained, and the memories you’ve created. Like the threads of a tapestry, our stories are woven together into the larger story of this institution.
As we prepare to step forward from here, remember the words of the great philosopher Seneca, who said, "While we teach, we learn." This sentiment has been at the heart of our experience at Washington College, where learning was not confined to classrooms but was a part of every conversation, every challenge, and every discovery.
So, as we all stand here ready to leap into the next chapter of our lives, let’s carry these lessons forward. Let’s keep exploring, keep learning, and above all, keep dreaming big. Because if my journey from a city in India to the heart of Washington College has taught me anything, it’s that no dream is too distant, and no goal is out of reach.
I owe a huge thanks to the faculty and staff at Washington College, whose dedication has been the director’s guidance needed for my story. To the Global Education Office, who made sure this international student always felt at home. To my peers, who became co-stars in this incredible journey. And to my family, who supported my dreams from thousands of miles away.
Congratulations, to the visiting students and the Class of 2024! Here’s to new adventures, new challenges, and new stories to tell. Let’s make them unforgettable!
Thank you!”
