It is that time of the year again when we say goodbye to our books, campus, and friends to take a well-deserved break before another year of college. The sun is finally out after months of crappy weather and with that comes happiness and opportunities to do so much more. Growing up in the Middle East, I feel at home when the sun is out and therefore I am very happy for the seasons to be finally changing. For more reasons than one, I feel like this summer is going to be one of my favorites and I couldn’t be more elated about it.
1. Travel
As soon as the semester ends, I will be traveling back home to Dubai to see my family. Being an international student, I don’t get a lot of opportunities to see my family so this break will allow me to spend some time with them and get some well-earned rest at home. Once there, I will be hopping on a flight to India to see extended family. Due to the pandemic and restrictions on travel, I have not been able to go to India for over 3 years now. Even though I have not visited for a long time, I am looking forward to a change of scenery, meeting my relatives and best of all – eating some delicious food.
2. Turning 21
Soon after I come back from India, I will finally turn 21! Turning 21 usually signifies the start of adult life and the independence it brings with it, and summer seems like it will be exactly that. While I have technically been an adult in the eyes of the law for a little bit, 21 just seems more important and like a universal understanding that you have stepped into adulthood. I am nervous but thrilled to be adulting some more and of course, being able to hit the bars with my friends soon!
3. INternship
After a lot of work and patience, I was finally able to secure an internship for the summer. I will be working as a summer analyst which is a role I have been after for a little bit. This internship will allow me to employ my knowledge learned during college and apply it in a real-world setting. I am enthusiastic to gain more technical skills and knowledge that would help me relate to my degree and provide me with the necessary skills for all my future endeavors.
4. New City
As part of the internship, I will be moving to Delaware for two months. It is rather a nerve-racking idea to move to a new place all by myself but I feel like I am ready for the challenges and new experiences to come. I have been researching, and Delaware has some lovely beaches where I plan to spend a lot of my time and is known for some delicious seafood that I can’t wait to try!
5. Adulting
This will be my very first summer in the US, and my first time living alone. I am excited to start cooking for myself, having my own space, experiencing a new city, and just figuring things out for myself. It seems so silly to say out loud, but I am looking forward to grocery shopping and furnishing my apartment! I will be adulting on my own for the first time and it does seem daunting at times but I think I am ready to embrace everything that is going to come my way.
I hope this summer is a time for me and everyone to relax, reset, heal, learn more, make memories and just thrive! Summer 2022 – I am ready for everything you got in store for me.
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