After London I made my way to Atlanta for Grad school (the program to which I am currently a part). I have to admit, when I first got to Atlanta I HATED it. Mostly because I was worn out from travelling and missed London dearly. But eventually, as I got settled, I made new friends and began to start a life in a city I began to like.
I will not be returning to Atlanta for another year and three months because I will be studying in Germany (stay tuned!), but here are some of my favourite memories and lessons from my time in Atlanta and grad school.
- Being Hit By a Car
I know this is not exactly a good thing… But I was hit by a car two weeks into my stay in Atlanta. It was very definitive for me. It gave me a story to tell all the localers and also… I feel like you reach a new level of cycling once you’ve been hit and have survived. Grateful I’m alive, glad I did not kill the Jeep too badly… 🙂
2. Driving a Random Drunk Guys GT
Another not so great idea, but awesome experience. I was out partying one night when a guy who was hammered was about to drive home. I thought, “he is going to kill somebody.” I was sober and offered to drive him and my friend home and then would catch a uber to my place. To my delight the guy had a beautiful red Ford GT that I got to drive through the quiet city streets of Atlanta at 1 am. OMG.
3. Techno Parties
My best friend in Atlanta, Elisabeth, introduced me to techno. I thought it was weird at first, but grew to really love it. Thanks Elisabeth!
4. Street Art
Atlanta has a lot of it and I just love it.
5. Finding your identity in Academia
I haven’t really talked about philosophical ideas in my last posts as much as I would like. However, Atlanta has been such a catalyst for me to explore my life experiences and identity to construct new theologies. At Emory I was privileged to study under Greg Ellison and Professor Kwok Pui Lan who really opened my eyes to how our families and communities shape our perception. I spent most of my time in my undergrad learning from Euro-centric thinkers who made it difficult for me to believe that I had anything to offer the world of Theology, as my Indian family and life were so different from the ideas I was learning. But at Emory I was given license to explore my non-western side and bring it into conversation with the western ideas I had worked with and this was such a liberative and informative practice for me. I think we all learn better together, and I am thankful they gave me a seat at the table.
6. My Jobs
In Atlanta I worked as Research Assistant, an Event Organizer and volunteered at a Refugee program (which mostly dealt with cultural assimilation). All of these jobs were so incredibly rewarding and helped feed my Grad work in meaningful ways. I am quite the heady person, and I need a lot of physical outlets or else I drive myself crazy. Atlanta provided all that for me, and I am grateful for the opportunities.
7. My Travel Opportunities…
And of course there is this… Emory has an Academic Exchange program to Germany and I was privileged to be one of the candidates to go. I’ve learned a lot of German and of course… I am excited to make another Tour through the EU. Only couple more weeks until I embark on this adventure…
.. I can’t wait!
I did not stay in Atlanta for long, but I’m thankful for all its given me and prepared me to do in the future.