Twenty-five countries, four continents, and seven different homes–Ayeshajan Mufti is not your average college student. This 20-year-old communications major with a corporate and public relations concentration is about to enter her junior year at Drexel and has seen more places than most people could dream of seeing in their lifetime.
Her parents have been involved with international affairs since she was born, working for specific organizations within the UN and later becoming ambassadors for various European countries. Ayeshajan was born in The Hague, Netherlands and has lived in Islamabad, Pakistan; Berne, Switzerland; Oslo, Norway; Copenhagen, Denmark; and for the past three years Philadelphia, USA. With all of this moving around, it’s hard to classify any place as “home,” but Ayeshajan said Denmark would be the closest thing for her, due to the amount of time she’s spent in the country. She moved there when she was 11 years old and left when she was 18. This was the period when she was really figuring herself out and she feels the country shaped the woman she has become. Copenhagen is her favorite place to live because of the important role it played for her while growing up. “I went from completely hating it, to falling in love … I really learned a lot about myself and the person that I want to be,” Ayeshajan said. Her other “home” is in Pakistan with her mother and dogs since her family is no longer based in Denmark.
Even after moving around so often, Ayeshajan acknowledges that it has never been easy to uproot your whole life and move to a different country. In fact, the only move Ayeshajan was truly excited about was going from Islamabad to Berne. “Switzerland seemed like such a magical place, and what seven year old doesn’t want to move to a city with a cool name?” Ayeshajan said. Even after that move, though, she still experienced homesickness. Her family had to move away from her grandfather, who they lived with in Pakistan.
She also had her fair share of being the new girl and remembers how elementary and middle school kids were not the nicest when someone new arrived in the middle of the year. Looking back, she has a positive attitude about the whole experience because of the great opportunities it brought her. Attending international schools allowed her to meet amazing people and establish connections around the world.
Being exposed to so many cultures at such a young age has helped Ayeshajan keep an open mind and a desire to learn more about people’s backgrounds. Her international schools placed a large emphasis on being respectful towards all cultures and celebrating the things that make them unique and important. She has also developed a love for travelling. She’s been to four continents already and plans on reaching the other three eventually.
As an expert traveller, Ayeshajan’s advice to someone hesitant about traveling to a new place or travelling in general is to just go for it! “If you have the opportunity to visit somewhere new, take it … it may be your only chance to visit that place,” she said. Even if you’re scared, go for it. The only thing worse than not going is regretting it. So Dragons, go forth and follow your adventure. Don’t forget to LIVE IT.