AKA Hyderabad turns 10 : A student journey

2012. I, an impressionable 8-year-old enrolls at the Academy, terrified of feeling motion sickness everyday as I travelled for hours in a bus. Spoiler: I didn’t, and boy how I am thankful for that. But the difficult part was this new environment I found myself in, like a fish out of water. I learnt how to adapt; to a new curriculum, a group of diverse individuals and catered lunches in the now Junior School Library. I drew cartoons of learner profiles that have been embedded in my memory through my third-grade bulletin board.

I quickly discarded the idea of my merit being determined purely on my academic performance, one coming in handy as I apply to universities now. Instead, I began to be more outspoken, contribute to class discussions and help others out. Something my teachers always mentioned to my mother at parent teacher meetings was how I was never afraid to ask questions. In Junior School, my mistakes were learnings, and my questions were welcomed, so I developed into a curious and mature girl. 

As I transitioned to Senior School, I became increasingly involved with my school community, and aware of my surroundings and privileges. I represented the Student Council, and participated in service projects, and enrichment activities. 

The summer before I entered DP, I reflected on my purpose and how I can leave my mark on the world. I realized I needed to start small. This was always what the Academy had encouraged, to become a homegrown leader that gives back to its community. I led enrichment activities, I interned at AKDN, which has more of a global reach, and at AKEBI (Aga Khan Education Board of India), which has a local reach. What I take most pride in is “de-construct”; an intellectual magazine my peers and I published, meant to educate students on politically and morally heavy concepts. Something I wished I had.

The surreal part is, I, like many others, haven’t been to school in 17 months. I am spending my last year at the Academy in front of a laptop screen, longing for the bus rides I dreaded. Now I know the next time I will get on the school bus (and hopefully I will), it will feel heavy, as I take with me the memories, and an open-minded, optimistic and ambitious attitude towards my future.