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VAISHNAVI SOOD

On that Monday morning of August 28, 2017, when I raised the window shades of the aircraft before our landing I got the first glimpse of Korea and began to get those butterflies. As we touched down at the Incheon Airport in Seoul, I felt a sudden rush of emotions that can never be expressed in words.

“A girl who never stayed out of her house alone for a single night got a chance to cross the national borders and explore a foreign land amid those unknown faces. Of course, she said yes but only her heart knew the anxiety that accompanied this overwhelming joy and excitement.”

I was glad to have my four Indian friends by my side and we wanted to celebrate that moment. Suddenly, being surrounded with those unfamiliar faces also felt a bit weird. But, meeting our mentor calmed all the anxiety I had. We even went to eat outside with her and the food was delicious. But on the very first day we realized, finding vegetarian food and eating out was not going to be easy in the coming days.

The first few days were blissful. I was curious about my new surroundings and even the differences were exciting. But, as the initial excitement began to fade, anxiety started to set in. I had anticipated it wouldn’t be easy but I didn’t know it would be so hard. I felt lonely and found my confidence shaking. I had no clues how to deal with it. I tried reading articles about the experiences of other exchange students from around the world as I found it hard to express and cope up.

It took a little time but once things began to make sense, it was easier to adapt. I began to relax and enjoy my new environment. Taking responsibility for my choices and deliberately deciding how I spent my days finally returned my confidence and gave me the much needed satisfaction.

In the process, I met people from various cultures and made friends from different countries. My four Indian friends from Shoolini who came with me in this Program have also made a huge difference to my Student Exchange Journey. They encouraged me in going out of my comfort zone and supported whenever I needed them. They would never hesitate in pointing out my mistakes either. Sometimes, I would get upset over it but later I began to appreciate it. Their support and being there for me has meant a lot to me.

These Last three months are filled with overwhelming moments and wonderful memories. Standing at the Eulji Observatory, with the view of Punch Bowl on one side and North Korean mountains on the opposite side left me wonderstruck. It continues to be one of my favorite moments in South Korea that I will never forget. 

Exploring these beautiful places and getting closer to the culture of a new country was a unique experience in itself. The Korean culture and traditions are very interesting with quite a few similarities with the Indian Culture. I was amazed to see so many traditional games of Korea that have clear resemblance to a few of our Indian games. On the other hand, the Korean Dishes are extremely different from Indian food. Though, love for Indian Curry among the Korean people is well known.

I always found Koreans to be very helpful but some of them are shy, especially with the foreigners. Language Barrier created another challenge for us in Communicating with the native people but learning a bit of Korean language helped us a lot in the later days. The way they prefer Korean over English or any other Foreign Language is something we have admired too. 

Throughout this journey, there had been a lot of things that I learned and explored. This whole journey is an experience that I can never forget. It has helped me to grow as a person. Now, I can confidently say that no other country in the world could have been a better destination for my first trip abroad than this beautiful land. 

I am greatly thankful to my Professors at Shoolini University for trusting me and to Gachon University for giving me a chance to study in their institution for one semester. I am blessed to have so many people who supported me throughout this journey and made it even more memorable.

Aman Kumar

“Never chase money as someone else will always be richer than you. Never chase fame as someone else will be more famous than you, but if you aim at excellence money will come and adequate fame will come”. Noted Economist, Journalist and former union Minister Arun Shourie said while delivering Guru Talk here at Shoolini University on October 6.

He was addressing the audience in the Yogananda Guru Series colloquium, a regular event at the University for all the students and faculty members of the university. Arun Shourie who is one of the tallest among Indian Journalists, has been a Minister of the Indian cabinet under PM Vajpayee and most importantly is a mesmerizing speaker and great author. He shared some valuable life lessons and success mantras with the audience.

He started on an interesting note when he told the students that he is one of the three editors in India who have been dismissed and the only one dismissed twice and they should learn from this that there is life after dismissal.

Lauding the efforts of Dr PK Khosla, Vice Chancellor, Shoolini University, he said, one man can make a difference as was evident from Dr. Khosla who has set up an institute that developed at such a fast pace in a short span of time. He said that it was his vision and determination of setting up an institute which could provide the best of facilities and environment to students for a next level learning process that he accomplished his goal.

“I am happy to learn Biotechnology is one of the key faculties here as it is a discipline of the future, which binds me to the university”, he said. Excel in your subject and you must also fight for ideology of excellence in our society which is an important and difficult task. We must become messengers of ideology of excellence, he added.

Shourie said, “In your life pick up one social issue that does not concern you anymore but an average citizen of the country. If you want to be truly selfless, help someone who cannot do anything for you in return.”

His talk was followed by a Q&A session in which students asked him about the economy of the country and other issues of national interest. Vice Chancellor Dr Khosla thanked Arun Shourie for the visit and for giving an illuminating lecture.

SHAINA CHAUHAN

Internationally acclaimed cricket legend Yuvraj Singh, who is also a cancer survivor, inaugurated a Sports Stadium named “Yuvraj Stadium” on the Shoolini University campus on October 3. Yuvraj, who was given a warm welcome by the faculty and students on his arrival, was on the campus to encourage the students who had been working for his NGO, YouWeCan.

The NGO works for the welfare of cancer survivors and helps out those in need. For the last three years, the students of Shoolini University have been part of YouWeCan social project which is involved in the detection and treatment of cancer. The students have been holding awareness drives and organising detection camps supported by doctors in different areas of Himachal Pradesh.

Yuvraj planted a tree sapling on the university campus. As a symbolic gesture, he was asked to plant a Kashmiri willow which is used for making cricket bats. He then played cricket for a while with the members of the YouWeCan team. Also, he had a separate meeting with the members of YouWeCan volunteers where the students showcased their contributions so far. He appreciated the work done by them and complimented their commitment.

He later attended a function at the Open-Air Theatre which overflowed with students. He distributed prizes and certificates to students who had been actively participating in the YouWeCan project and also special star awards were given to students who had done exceptionally well outside the classroom. In a short speech delivered by him where he also said “The service you do for others without any selfish motive is of the highest kind.”

He later met Vice-Chancellor Prof PK Khosla, the trustees of the university and senior faculty members over tea. Prof Khosla presented him with a book “The Autobiography of a Yogi” which Yuvraj accepted and promised to read.

Yuvraj, who had helped India win several international matches, hit six sixes in a single over during the 2007 ICC World Cup. He holds the record for fastest T20 fifty by scoring the runs in 12 balls against England and became the first all-rounder to score 300 plus runs and to take 15 wickets in a single World Cup. He was detected with a cancerous tumour in 2011.

In March 2012, Yuvraj was discharged from hospital after completing the third and final cycle of chemotherapy and returned to India and finally staged a remarkable comeback into the Indian national team. The same year he set up the YouWeCan Foundation, a non-profitable organisation.

The Foundation aims to help cancer patients and survivors to get access to treatment including raising funds for underprivileged patients. It also supports survivors through rehabilitation and creating a better life for themselves without having to live in the shadow of the disease. “The focus is to educate the masses so that nobody fights cancer alone, and towards creating awareness and eradicating socio-psychological stigma attached with cancer”, as per the aims of the NGO.