Student as I Age

When I was offered a scholarship to undergo M.S studies in the University of Montana, the USA, I was overwhelmed and looking forward to another two years of schooling in a country where I have never been. After processing all the formalities required I headed to New Delhi, India for my visa interview. Everything went well; probably “SERKHEM” (offering to deities) was playing a greater role.

Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Foretry,
Nauni, Himachal Pradesh, India.

It was June and in the middle of school for my daughter and I had my tickets to US on August, 2009. It was hectic for all three of us (my wife and daughter) trying to arrange everything, right from acquiring transfer certificate of my daughter and getting her enrolled in the school in my home town (Panbang in Zhemgang Dzongkhag) and packing dry chilies to keep us moving while in the US. The day finally arrived and my wife and I headed to the US.

After having explored the area for a week and completing all the orientation and enrolment, it was my first day in the class, “Environmental social research methods”. The professor was an Australian, I could say that from his accent, and the class was more of a philosophy in social research. The first day, in school, the first class, made me nervous and shattered all my confidence that I garnered till date holding positions (exams) in the class, right from primary schooling till I completed my undergraduate in India. I thought may be my Bhutanese seniors, whom I met before my Masters, are right in stating “it was waste of our time during undergraduate, we didn’t learn anything, but masters made us capable to do on our own” (Note: Perception of few).

But, after completion of my 1^st semester and 2^nd semester, I realized they probably didn’t realize the base they built during their undergraduate classes. They didn’t realize the intensive course work they did, they didn’t realize knowledge they built on the subject. The only problem with my undergraduate class was, we were not taught how to write and we were not habituated to read scientific articles, instead professors dictated in the class and we wrote and studied what we were dictated by professors. We were not taught research activities, we were not conveyed the importance of research and publishing papers and articles. But, one should understand, how much will university teach during undergraduate? Probably the time constraint had a greater role to play. The only problem I have with my undergraduate is with the computer class. It is still a mystery on why we were taught “M.S. Dos and Q Basic” and not “Windows”, otherwise everything was fine. But, ultimately with no doubt in my mind, I would like to thank Government of India for scholarship and the Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Hoticulture and Forestry for building me to what I am. Thank you.

The University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, USA.

After I wrote my thesis, defended it, read lots of papers and books I am now changed man. I can see the development within myself. I have developed the habit of critically analyzing things and criticizing the articles for good. I have taught myself to read each word and to analyze it critically. I have taught myself to read even during shitting (of-course I read car magazines that time, I am crazy about cars), do you think I am going mad?. Classes in India provided me the solid foundation of the subject I am pursuing, and US made me thinker, analyzer and critics of scientific article (not serious though). What more should I expect now, probably I am content, or maybe not as I am already starting to think on my Ph.D. I am proud (kind of blowing my trumpet) of myself as my chairperson in the Masters committee wants me to be his Ph.D. student for which he is already hunting for grants. If everything goes well I will be student again, starting fall 2013 till fall 2016. Now, that’s long way. I have realized that, with age it is difficult to study. With age I tend to think and worry on so many stuffs, which accelerate the difficulty in concentrating in my studies. It was tough year for my wife and me to stay away from our daughter. It was tough year for our daughter too. But now everything is fine and I am glad.

Above all 14^th May is a commencement day of the university. Gowns are ready, gho’s are nicely pressed and folded, and shoes are well polished. I am ready to walk the “ramp” and close the chapter for now before I embark on another years of schooling.