Of New Acquaintances and More

College orientations are meant to serve various purposes. Getting your way around a new campus, finishing formalities before college starts and more so, building friendships and networking for different purposes. We know that we'd build friendships either to form bonds that last a lifetime and you know it immediately that you'd click with a particular person. Sometimes you form bonds initially only for selfish reasons - for notes, etc.
My orientation experience at Ohio State University has been unique and enriching in several ways. First of all, I was very proud to see students from India who are absolutely confident and know the way to make their way through formalities. This is not a biased opinion, but something even others from the staff happened to comment on. I was a part of some interesting conversations and some that I happened to hear that I want to share. OSU boasts of a large international student population on campus. I was listening to a conversation that a Bangladeshi gradaute student was having with another Brazilian grad student. "So Brazil is really popular for soccer right? I know that Ronaldo and others play very good soccer, right?" The Brazilian affirmed his new acquaintance's thoughts and asked him, "So is Bangladesh a part of India?"
"No it is not, but it is close to India."
"I asked because you look similar to the Indians."
"Yes, we look similar."
"What about the violence in Bangladesh? Is it as much as Pakistan?"
"No it's not as much, but in the end, what is the point of this violence? I feel it's all about living together and in harmony with the other countrymen than fighting."
That was a statement to ponder about and how I wish politicians too thought this way.
Once the speeches of dignitaries were over, students were networking over cheese and crackers and hummus and pita. We were three Indian girls standing together, exchanging pleasantries that newly acquainted people would. After a while, a very senior executive - both in terms of age and designation walked to us and asked us individually where we were from and what our fields of study were. He was taking the time and effort to talk to as many students as possible. Shortly after he left, one of the girls commented,
"Buddhe ne teen ladkiyon ko saath mein kya dekh liya, toh baat karne aa gaya!" (Barely did the old man see three young girls together and he walked over to chat with us!)
I was stunned at this remark. Although she was fresh from India, I was appalled at the way she read or rather mis-read the man's intention. I felt compelled to clarify that it is routine here for people to inquire how you are doing, especially since they know that you are new to the place.
What stunned me most was this interaction I had with two graduate students from India. After they asked me of my field and where I was from India, and I did the same as well, they asked me where I lived and if I lived with roommates.
I replied that I am married and lived with my husband. There was a brief awkward silence that followed.
One of the boys said, "Oh, you are that kind of a student!" And in the same breath he said, "I thought you were like one of us only who had come to study."
I couldn't help but smile at the thoughts he harbored.
I told him laying special emphasis on 'one of you' 'study', that, "I am like one of you only who has come here to study."
I am glad to have found some good friends also at the orientation and am looking at starting school soon. Keeping my fingers crossed for things to straighten out.