Aneeka Paul

NYU Abu Dhabi has transformed me in more ways than one. In my first year, there were moments when I wondered whether I truly fit in.

But over time, through shared meals, long conversations, and the everyday rhythm of campus life, I found my people — friends who stayed through difficult moments, helped me work through challenges, and listened without judgment.

Those friendships became one of the most meaningful parts of my experience here.

As I grew more comfortable in the community around me, I also began to understand my own path more clearly. I have always wanted to build technology that helps people who are often overlooked, and my time at NYUAD gave me the knowledge and space to pursue that goal.

The opportunities to travel to New York, Paris, Italy, and Madrid also allowed me to encounter new perspectives and ideas that shaped the way I think about the world and myself.

Looking back, I realize my time here was never about having everything figured out. It was about discovering my path step by step, building friendships that feel like family, and learning to trust that my journey will unfold in its own time.