Student Essays

The Miracle People
Apoorva Talwalkar

A two month internship as part of the SIFE BII program, with people I didn't know and a job I had no experience for. I wondered how I would survive. However, the question of survival never arose. I was so comfortable there, that when the time came, I did not want to leave at all.

I spent two months at Children's Miracle Network. It is an organization affiliated with the local hospital that helps children in need of medical aid. It's a small non profit organization, with a work force of five people. They have not only started a mobile health clinic for children, a child-life program in the children's ward, provided much needed facilities for premature babies and helped hundred's of children to pay their medical bills.

Susan, Heather, Kelly, Rhiannon and Chris were all warm, affectionate people all ready to help, teach and listen. They were very patient with me and my inability to use the office photocopier and my knack of jamming the paper shredder! But I managed to learn that fast enough! I was also included at all the lunches and also in the gossip!

It wasn't all fun and games though. I learnt a lot from them and vice versa. Not just about the organization, but also about America itself. We talked about culture, language, religion, gender problems, sports, Hollywood, and a bit of Bollywood (the Indian film industry) too! We also talked about the politics of our countries, and how George Bush affected us all! I was amazed at how smart all of them were, and also how much of my own history and culture I remembered. So school had helped me in some way! We were all equally fascinated and shocked at what we learnt from each other.

They quickly learned about my love for food, and especially about my sweet tooth! So, every so often I would be treated to an extra large dose of chocolate. It started with “Grandma's Stolen Brownie Sundae” and ended with the “Cookie Monster” which involves a giant chocolate chip cookie and lots of chocolate fudge!

I had a range of experiences there, from visiting the studio of the local TV channel KY3, to helping out at the hospital craft sale. I also helped out at the mobile health clinic and at the pediatric department of the hospital. Out of all these experiences though, the memory that remains the strongest is that of the people I met. It was them that made the experience exciting and memorable, not just something to be added to a list of things I did. It was job satisfaction at its best.

Living Out Of My Luggage
Andrea Quadros

For those who think they know me, I have never been ‘travel-material'. The very thought of traveling sent shivers down my spine. Packing my life in a suitcase and lugging it along to some strange destination - positively not my idea of either fun or learning! A weeklong trip to a new place was one week too many away from home. And then the SIFE BII happened.

It takes no genius to figure out that this 3-month SIFE trip was my first time away from home for an extended period. I'd have just packed my home, family and friends if I'd had the opportunity. However, I guess all the airlines were already prepared for my ‘type'. A 70-pound baggage weight restriction did the trick.

The first week in Washington DC was the hardest. I had to fight every temptation to unpack entirely. Each time I entered my hotel room, all I wanted to do was hijack the closet, dresser and every cabinet to neatly arrange my belongings and make myself feel as much ‘at-home' as I possibly could. But after 7 days in DC, I was all packed and flying to Springfield, Missouri, where I was scheduled to live for the duration of my internship.

My own room in an apartment! No points for guessing that my first move was to empty out my suitcase and bags to personalize every inch of space that I believed would be my home for the next 3 months. So it was a rude surprise when I was moved to a different room after a few weeks and then shifted on-campus a little later. By now though, packing and moving no longer intimidated me. Rather, the idea of changing locations seemed enjoyable and interesting.

But here's the fun part. At the end of the internship, I was unwilling to let go of this adventure. I realized that travel no longer implied just moving my stuff around, rather it promised the excitement of meeting people, discovering new places and looking at life from an entirely different angle. I was no longer afraid.

But how time flies when you are having fun. Before I realized it, I was back at the airline counter, discussing my overweight bag. Well, maybe some things never change. Like most women, I guess, I too am a prisoner to the overweight-bag syndrome. And like most women, I rely on the time-and-gender-tested prescription called ‘tears'.

Today, I am home. Life is back to what should have been normal 3 months ago. But I guess I have changed. My bags are still unpacked, dreaming that the next travel opportunity will present itself soon. This time I will not hesitate to pack up my life once again and go visit a new place by land, air, or maybe even sea, to enjoy the uncertainties and excitement. I guess this trip just made me experience and embrace a new way of life that I like to call ‘LIVING OUT OF MY LUGGAGE'.

The Boston Mapparium
Neha Bhansal

One of the most memorable parts of my internship was the visit to the Mary Baker Eddy Library in Boston which houses the mapparium. It is a giant globe built entirely of glass. This 3 story structure is the most beautiful and creative work of art made by man that I have ever seen. This magnificent structure was built by Chester Lindsay Churchill (architect) between 1932 and 1935. 608 individual glass panels compose the mapparium representing the world at a 1:2500 scale. A small dial located at the center of various longitudes displays the different time zones of the world.

I had never heard of this exhibit before so imagine my surprise when the guide led us to the glass walkway which led us to the center of the structure. It took some time to catch my breath and I could hear others like me gasp in amazement. After letting all of us get a grip on ourselves the guide started the sound and light show. We were greeted by the voices of people from different countries. A recorded voice began to introduce the world to us in a whole new light. Every time the voice spoke about a particular area or country where some event had taken place the lights were dimmed and computerized lights lit up the corresponding area.

It introduced each region describing its unique quality. The effect of the lights was amazing and it really helped us understand how the world had changed. We also heard the point of view of important historic figures about the changing world in their own voices .The structure has another quality; no matter now softly you whisper everybody else in the globe will be able to hear you.

At that moment standing there with all those people I felt like I was a part of something much bigger, something beyond comprehension like something that distinguishes all of us from each other yet ties us together.

Career Fair at College of Business Administration in Missouri State University
Sumit Jalan

The Career Fair was held at College of Business Administration from 20th September, 2005 to 22nd September, 2005. It was very exciting to be part of a Career Fair which is a recruitment drive knowing that I might experience the same thing a few years later when I am pursuing my M.B.A. and hence, at the same time, I was also nervous as it was a kind of dress-rehearsal and also because of the fact that I was looking for an opportunity for an internship or job-shadowing. It was also a great opportunity to know about different business organizations in United States and their outlook towards students.

I prepared an introductory sentence for myself and thought about how I would approach various business organizations. After knowing about the organizations, one of key questions I had in mind was to know ‘what was the one quality business organizations looked in students when they were recruiting'. This would give me a range of qualities which various organizations were looking at and help me in future when I am presenting myself to a recruiter. I was also looking forward to get some tips on resume building once the interaction proceeded smoothly.

On the first day (i.e. 20th September) which was called the ‘Business Day' wherein a broad variety of organizations were visiting the campus to recruit, I interacted with representatives of more than 20 business organizations. The list of visiting business organizations included insurance companies, retail organizations, financial companies, Boeing and US Navy. The common line among everybody was that they were all looking for committed and objective driven individuals. Everybody expected the students to come to them with their preference and what they were looking for. I found that representatives were very forthcoming, welcomed students who wanted to know about their organizations and appreciated good questions. I had a long chat with the representative from Information Builders – an organization which believes converging technology to business to make business more efficient and profitable; she gave me invaluable tips on how to make an effective and attractive resume. She shared her experiences in this regard.

On the second day (i.e. 21st September) which was called the ‘CIS (Computer Information System) Day' wherein only companies specifically looking for CIS majors had come. I interacted with representatives of eight business organizations which included KPMG.

The interaction and communication in these two days made me learn a lot. It helped me know about different business organizations, their culture, their outlook towards future and students whom they were planning to recruit. The interaction assumed greater significance because I got to know the perspective of American business organizations. Although I did not find any internship opportunity, I got a feel of a recruitment drive and how you should approach business organizations during a recruitment day. Confidence is the key word here.

From Learning to Appreciating
Sarah Patankar

The SIFE Business Internship Initiative was a surprise. I didn't expect to be selected for such an exchange program in my first year with SIFE. After I got selected for it though, I had thought three months away from home and family would be tough. But, the friendliness of the mid-west Americans, and our mostly busy schedule kept me from thinking about home. There have been so many things we were involved in - cultural activities, academics, fun activities – that choosing one activity to describe is difficult.

My first month at Drury University, Springfield, MO, went by very fast. My friends and I were busy discovering the new place, making new friends and learning new things. The second month brought in a routine, which at times we felt was boring. But, the third month was the most eventful. We realized that there were lots to be still done, and there was no time. The last week at Drury was the SIFE International Student Week.

Drury SIFE team invited teams from Nicaragua and China. All of us had a great time. Unbelievably, ice skating helped us become very good friends! That week we also went to the Wal-Mart head office in Arkansas. We had the opportunity to meet Jack Shewmaker, who has contributed a lot to SIFE. We also went underground (literally) to a server vault. Computing data is kept safe in an underground mine. My friends and I also competed in the Duel in the Ozarks, a case study competition about personal finance. Three local and three international teams participated. SIFE India, represented by us, won the 2nd runner up position.

Coming back to India and my studies, I have realized that it is easier for me to appreciate business concepts with a global perspective. I can now see the differences in Indian and US business examples and understand why they exist. There are wonderful memories for me to treasure from the internship, and I know they will be useful to me in my life.

At Kwik Pantry
Benazir Badsha

Ever since I got to Springfield Mo., I have been searching for ways and means to get out of this place and see my relatives or just travel as much as I could.

I had just come back from New Jersey after a week of fun and frolic when I realized that sooner or later, we would be assigned jobs in this grocery store called "Kwik Pantry." It was only half a month since I was in the US and I was thinking how can I handle a store? I hadn't even got a hold of the US currency, but there I was handling a store with a lot of potential customers.

On my first day at Kwik Pantry, I was just standing there wondering how much a dime was. So I did something even more intelligent. I made an international call and asked my dad how much a dime was worth and he replied, "Its 10 cents."

So I was all geared up and headed to the store to make a smart impression on the owner and the people around me. So there, I was with a few dimes in my hand and some more five cents coins. Initially I didn't notice but then I thought how come the "five cents" coin is bigger than what they call a "dime?" And hey, if a dime is 10 cents, why can't it have the marking of "10 cents?" Initially it was a little weird and difficult because back in India as the value of the currency increases the size of the currency increases too. Basically the value and the size of the currency go hand in hand.

I barely had any training and I was put on the job. My first customer was a drunk-his eyes were all red and I could smell him entering the door. He came right up to me and asked me for a pack of "Marlboro Lights!"

I could not get it then, so I asked him again. Unfortunately I could not get it yet again, so I asked him once more to which out of disgust he showed the pack to me and gave me a dirty look. I gave him the pack and smiled at him and finally forced myself to say, "Have a good day."

Anybody and everybody who would come in the store would greet you and sometimes that could actually make your day. The best part about working at Kwik Pantry is the extreme joy of asking somebody who looks younger for an ID. It gives you a weird feeling and in turn gives you a sense of responsibility.

Something that amazes me about the Americans is the way they use the words "honey" and "sweetheart." Americans could perhaps be the sweetest talkers in the world. Back in India I would only remember calling my boyfriend that way There's no doubt that I would learn a lot through the entire internship experience but fear nags me at the thought of using the word "honey" to complete strangers.

WRNJ Radio
Edlyn D'souza

You know you're one lucky person when on your first day 'on the job', you're given the responsibilities of one who works there full-time and when the new guy comes in, you know more than him!

My internship with the WRNJ A.M. radio station in Hackettstown, NJ started exactly like that. It was just me in the waiting room nervous as ever but I knew that I was one lucky rat to have a chance like that and I was going to have a good time. I never thought anybody listened to A.M radio, but in Hackettstown they do! With communication and the media at new heights, radio is not the most favorable source of information, but SIFE did a great job of sending us into tiny little places where people still live life like they used to a decade or 2 or 3 ago.

So they do listen to A.M radio. My mentor, Joyce Estey told me that the kids still love knowing that they can take their toboggans and go sliding down suicide hill because their school has been snowed in. There were only 10 people working at that place and it could not get any more family-like than it already was. My first few minutes, Joyce just talked to me about the news show she does and how she chooses what goes on and what doesn't. After some insight on how the news cuts were written for ON AIR broadcasting and some sound editing talk, I was sent to the drawing board. You can bet your bottom dollar I was surprised. In the back of my mind I was left thinking "Miss, don't you want to see if I can write or even speak English?!" To have all that responsibility just given to you is scary for just about 5 seconds and after that you just have to learn to do something about it.

Writing news cuts, editing the sound, calling up news reporters-All fun. I was learning so much about myself and I was having such a good time in the process. Of course, I did make mistakes too but I was just egged on to do better. Coming in at 8 in the morning was no bother for me because I loved what I did. I guess that's what job satisfaction feels like. I felt so important because I was a part of so many people's daily routine and I didn't even know them. Knowing about what goes on in ones community makes such a big difference because every little event will have its consequence. Hurricane Katrina was raging miles away but so many New Jerseyans were being affected! Punctuality, persistence, character, community, and family- I learnt it all. And I felt so welcome there. Even though I wasn't being paid, I did feel I was worth something over there. Family isn't about whose blood you have. It's about who you care about.

Life is always one learning experience after another. You make countless mistakes but you know that at the end of it all you come out of it richer and stronger. The 3 months I sent seemed so long in the beginning but when they began to fly by I realized how precious every little memory was. They always say time changes things, but you know what? I think it is you who actually have to go out and run that extra mile and that's when you are able to change them yourself. And when things change, you change.

Leap of Fate
Johann deSales

We often wonder what the road ahead would look like, so much as to forget what the present holds for us. Hour after hour, day after day, we just take life for granted and never take advantage of the opportunities that are shown to us at point blank range. It was time to wake up and take hold of situations in order to achieve painstaking goals that were put in front of me; and that's exactly what SIFE helped me do. They gave us an opportunity to go out and be young entrepreneurs and to experience what the world truly holds for us. Certainly our efforts didn't go unrewarded as 21 aspirants were short listed to be a part of the SIFE Business Internship Initiative in August 2005.

From the innumerable adventures and experiences on my 3 month extravaganza, it certainly would be tough to pick out the one which truly stood out. But if I had to choose one on the top of my head, I think I have just the one.

I've always been a person to take risks and live life on the edge but always seem to come across as a very energetic person but not one who would step up to the plate and try to hit a curve ball blind folded. I was put up by an extremely awesome professor from Indiana University East who was going to be my mentor and guardian for the next three months. He wanted me to be absolutely comfortable in my new environment and wanted to know the things that I aspired to accomplish during my stay in Richmond. Without thinking twice I suggested Bungee jumping would be quite a challenge for me to accomplish and it would certainly be something to boast about to my friends back home. Unaware of places which catered to this particular sport, Professor Tim said in a relaxed voice that he would do me one better…..He would take me Sky Diving. For a moment, I gave new meaning to the phrase ‘frozen in time' and sat on the couch with quite a pale look upon my face. I didn't know whether to jump for joy or why I would ever jump out of a perfectly safe aircraft. I looked at Tim and in a strangled tone I said “Let's go”

Sky Diving! Wow that's something I could have only dreamed of doing and in a little while it was going to become an exciting reality for me. Unfortunately, the first time weather conditions did not permit any jumps that day hitting me as a possible sign. But I wasn't going to let a few dark clouds get in the way of my experience of a lifetime. I returned a second time with confidence levels at its absolute peak ready to take on the tasks ahead prior to my ‘leap of fate'. The training was not as intense as I expected it to be but it certainly touched upon important aspects of making a tandem jump. Finally it was time to get suited up and climb into a plane which seemed to be a can of sardines cramming the pilot, the videographer, the instructor and me in it.

Take off was smooth and then began the wait to attain an altitude of 11,500 feet. Seems kind of petty doesn't it, but in all probability I was going to be proved frightfully wrong. If the ascent was antagonizing enough, slamming the door of the plane open at the desired altitude was no mighty turn on for me. I prepared myself mentally for what I had trained for and was set to add another milestone to my list of achievements. “One, two …arch and out we went; tumbling and turning till we stabilized on our bellies and were free falling for a little under thirty seconds. This was certainly not something for the weak at heart because I thought mine was going pop out from my back. The pressure is intense, but once the parachute was deployed at 6000 feet, I began to realize the actual thrill of sky diving. I glided through the air with absolute ease taking in sight of Richmond, Indiana that you could never get on the ground or even if you sat in a plane. It was breathtaking. At the final stage, my instructor handed me the toggles and assisted me in making a comfortable landing……..Touchdown….I did it. I had successfully completed my first tandem sky dive, without any bruises or scratches. This experience was more than just a memory to me because it taught me that you can't experience the entire beauty of life until you have lived it to the very edge. This experience was certainly one of my innumerable adventures in the America. My U.S. experience was like a cake which was being given to me one slice at a time…