Wajd Ashira

In my first year, I remember thinking about my upcoming four years as a blank canvas that’s waiting to be painted.

Little did I know that those years would produce such a beautiful and intricate picture. When I first arrived on campus, I was so afraid of painting the canvas because I did not know what should go on it.

Over time, the blank canvas slowly began to fill itself with moments: late nights going out for karak or trips to Denny’s, staying up in the lounges studying together, complaining about stressful deadlines, practicing for Diwali dances, spontaneous outings to Mamsha, and the countless small interactions with people that slowly turned classmates into my lifelong friends whom I call my family.

Studying away added new colors to that canvas. New York, for me, was bright yellow, the color of excitement and pure happiness. It felt like my own literal utopia, a city where everything moved quickly and every corner held something new to discover. What made it even more special was that I didn’t experience it alone; my family was there with me, making the city feel both exhilarating and comforting at the same time.

London, on the other hand, felt red. Maybe it was the red buses and phone booths that colored my memories of the city, but it was also the warmth of the experience itself. There was something chaotic but also charming about learning to navigate the Tube and getting lost in quiet streets. Just walking around the city made me appreciate it so much.

Looking back now, the canvas that once seemed empty is filled with memories and relationships that will stay with me long after graduation. What began as four unknown years became a journey that shaped who I am today and gave me a huge sense of belonging.