I attended Rayat International School for eight years. I had friends there who always supported me, and teachers who encouraged me to do better. My favorite part of the school was that we had extra activities and competitions, not only studies.

After school on Fridays and Saturdays, we had forty-five minutes for our chosen clubs like eco club, adolescence age club, cooking without fire, basketball, badminton and many more. We did not have teams for every sport because there were not many schools to compete with, so instead we had clubs for sports.

The school was divided into four houses: Yash(green), Gaurav(blue), Shakti(yellow) and Shaurya(red). I used to participate in the dance competitions and sometimes speech competitions for my Yash house.

Every year there was an annual function. It was something that everyone waited for. The best part was that there was no competition: it was all for fun. There were dances, speeches — students would sing. The parents were always invited. A week before the annual function, we went to school for practice; there were no studies.

Thenon-participating students would stay home. The students who had business classes would make up a stall for food and games. Other classes would participate in other types of dances. I did Bhangra, a Punjabi folk dance. I was wearing a black suit (Indian dress), and it was a group dance.

I was really feeling nervous before the dance, but when we were up on the stage, I did great without feeling nervous.

After the function, we went to school as normal. Life was normal until one day a text message showed up on my mom’s phone screen about picking up her passport from the embassy office.

I knew something was going to happen.

Then school started. I was in eighth standard and working hard because our half semester exams were coming up. We just had a math’s test where I did poorly. I was sad and feeling frustrated because no matter how much I tried I ended up getting low scores on the maths test. Once I reached home, I saw my brother really happy. I had never seen him like that before.

“Hey, brother what happened? You seem to be really happy today!” I asked excitedly. He gave me a glass of water and said, “Mom got the visa. We are going to the US soon.”

I was about to drink the water, but I was so happy that I left the glass of water on the table and started dancing. It was like a dream came true. I always wanted that to happen, because I wanted to live with my dad. Now we will be going to the US. We would stay there with dad. Finally, my mom came home with his brother after picking up the passports from the office. I was in tears when I saw it. I told my uncles, aunts and cousins about this and they were happy too.

The next day I went to the school with excitement and happiness. One of my busmates and classmates, Amisha, asked me in the fourth period, “What’s the matter, Arsh? I have been noticing you since you arrived in the bus. You look happier than before.”

I told her about yesterday, how my mom got the visa for the US and we were going there after my eighth is done. She seemed really happy but started crying because I had to leave her.

After that the news spread like a fire in the class. Since we had the same class for a year; not changing classes after every period, my classmates would come to me and ask if it was true or just a naughty kid spreading rumors.

That day, I spent the whole day telling it was true that I would be going to the US after this year was completed. Time flew and we were ready for our final exams. Everyone was scared because the exams were going to be tough.

Once exams were done, I was going to leave the school and my friends behind and start a new journey. At the same time, my grandfather went really sick and we had to take care of him. So, we did not plan our tickets yet. My exams ended and the result was released and I passed with flying colors. I still remember my first day at that school and now I remembered then, even though I was joyful about exams and opportunities, feeling some sadness because I would be leaving RIS forever.

Even though my aunts and uncles live in the same house, we could leave grandpa with them because they loved us so much that they did not want us to leave. So we had to stay there until he was well and fine. But in July 2016, he died. My dad came to India from the United States because he died. Life does not stop, when someone leaves us, we have to survive. So, my dad got the tickets finally for mid august and we were ready to go. After coming here, I had to join a new school.

My new journey began here: Eastern Regional High School. This school was totally different from my old one. I came to school unaware that we have to walk to teachers’ classes; they do not walk to us, like in India. No one knew I was so lost on the first day with everything but as the time passed I became more familiar with everything. Coming to school during first year was like dancing everyday with extra steps.

Four years in the school made me fall in love with the teachers, my friends, and even the hallways.

I never knew I would end my school year like this. I eagerly waited for my graduation; now I don’t know if it would even happen the way I wanted. But as I look back, everything was perfect.

I feel grateful that I have understanding teachers and friends who help in every way they can. Everytime, if I do not understand something I can go to that subject teacher and ask and I never come back without answers.

I feel blessed to be a part of Eastern and this country because everything happens for a reason.