Visualizing my Amal journey

I joined Amal in the peak of the third wave of the Covid-19 Pandemic. We were once again confined to our rooms. The constant distress and apprehension about my health and the health of my loved one’s made it really hard to meet my university deadlines, let alone be productive.

I know this might come across as weird to some of you all but joining Amal was like taking a trip to the North in my gap year. When my spirits were low and I was looking for an opportunity to find a sense of direction and trying to make more sense of the new challenges around me. Here’s a picture of the view from the hotel I was staying in:

I was skeptical of whether I should take that trip because I wasn’t sure if it was the right time. I finally made the decision to go ahead with the trip but at the last moment, when everything was ready, I couldn’t find my ID card. The travel agency that I was travelling with had made it clear that they won’t let anyone join without the ID card. I really panicked and almost thought I’d miss this trip that I had planned and spent so much time trying to make the right decision. Long story short, I found the ID card later that night and embarked on a literal journey to self- discovery, openness and finding new friends.

Similarly with Amal I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to manage the workload of Amal with umpteen university deadlines. I had received an email about being shortlisted for the interview but I was still skeptical about whether or not I should go ahead with it. I decided to take one step at a time and just go ahead with the interview. When I got selected for the fellowship it seemed like something I should not let go. I was ready and excited for the first session when one day before our orientation session my university sent us a notification to vacate the hostel.

I had to leave the hostel on the same day as my orientation session. I had talked to my program manager and associate. They told me that I have to be present in these two sessions to continue the rest of the Amal journey. I panicked like I did on the trip. It had started seeming impossible. I talked to my hostel administration, and they said there’s nothing that can be done about it. Then my program manager suggested using a mobile package and joining class from the phone. He excused me from turning on the camera that one session and this is how I overcame the hurdle that came in my way of embarking this journey.

From the start the journey was challenging yet exciting. This journey, like the trip I took, proved to be memorable and full of opportunities. In my first few weeks I had difficulty coping with the workload but the excitement kept me going.

It was challenging like the trek but I was excited to reach the top. On my way, I discovered my capabilities that I had never recognized before. I discovered where I am supposed to be headed professionally. I discovered what I am working towards. It gave me a sense of direction that I really needed at that time.