Dear WLP,
Thank you for the most incredible, insightful, and transformative summer ever. WLP has taught me so much not only about navigating DC and engaging in a professional setting, but also about myself and what is important to me.
I heard from so many inspiring South Asian activists, politicians, lawyers, and policymakers that have truly shaped my thought process on my career going forward. While the realm of possibility has expanded and I may be even more confused about what exactly it is that I want to pursue, one thing is clear from the numerous speakers I heard from this summer: I do not need to create and stick to a set path for the rest of my life. Deviation, unpredictability, and a little luck were all common themes in people with notable careers. Through WLP, I have learned to grow more comfortable with uncertainty and to focus more on the experiences I want to gain and the impact I want to achieve, rather than the job title.
While all these speakers and professional events had a profound and lasting impact on me, the most important part by far of WLP has been my cohort. The board did a great job at curating a cohort with unique perspectives and diverse backgrounds, and I have been inspired by each and every one of them. This was the longest time I had ever been away from home, but because of my WLP family, I seldom felt homesick. I am so lucky to have been able to meet such an amazing group of people.
To Khushi, who always knew exactly what I was thinking because she was also thinking the same thing.
To Kathir, whose random muscle spasms and humor I will forever miss.
To Rhea, who always left me feeling empowered and inspired to stand up for what I believe in.
To “also Ria”, whose smile never failed to brighten my day.
To Daevan, who is my favorite cousin, even though he doesn’t own a pair of sweatpants.
To Sandhya, who always made me laugh with her awful poker face.
To Meghana, who is my forever coffee date.
To Jaliya, whose conversations on the red line I will miss.
And finally, to Zainab, my fellow Pakistani and one of my closest friends. There’s no one else I would want to spend an extra week with (even though my curls are better than yours).
The bonds I have created with my fellow WLP scholars are truly unbreakable and I cannot wait to see what they all accomplish in the future. Additionally, I would like to mention the WLP board and all of the alumni and mentors I was able to connect with this summer. They served as a sense of support in all my endeavors and the advice they gave me was invaluable and will be utilized as I progress in both my professional and personal life.
Thank you again for the best summer of my life.
Love,
Zunayra
Comments