Farewell Ann Arbor
As I detailed in my last missive, what is next is uncertain. Today is Memorial Day today and the chirping birds outside my bedroom window signal that summer is officially here. I was looking forward to another exciting summer in Ann Arbor but things are far from normal. Yesterday, I went on a long aimless walk to clear my head. Strolling past the empty downtown I can’t help but feel a bit of sadness - all the shuttered storefronts and lack of people is such a contrast to the summertime streetscape. Instead of attending summer festivals, meeting friends, I am packing up. Almost everyone I know has also left town. My savings are dwindling and therefore tomorrow morning, I will load up all my belongings in the back of a rental car and leave Ann Arbor for good.
It's hard not to get nostalgic thinking about the special culture here or how Ann Arbor served a special place as a backdrop for a transformative four, almost five years. Although I never held a Michigan ID, my university issued MCard shows that Ann Arbor was home: a place with community where life transpired. There is no part of the city that doesn’t hold a specific memory about a lesson learned, friendships made, ideas shared or life impacted. I vividly remember the first date and the first heartbreak, spending time with strangers from around the world who became close friends. It may have manifested in exploring the local food scene with my best friend (who is from here) or pondering the meaning of life at the remote Les Voyageurs cabin, but this place is a place where life happened. This place has grown on me and I am leaving with no clear plan of coming back. This piece is my attempt to process it all and share some thoughts.
Attending undergrad in Ann Arbor, the quintessential American college town, has been such a rewarding experience. I got to experience first hand the quirky culture and history of Ann Arbor which is often overlooked. In fact, what is now the original Central Campus was initially intended to be the state capital but the legislature chose Lansing instead. The city gifted that original land to the University of Michigan and it relocated from Detroit in 1837. Both Ann Arbor and the University grew together, which is why unlike many other college towns there is no real boundary between campus and the city - it offers a more integrated feeling. Each building has its own unique history behind it and the diversity is reflected in not just the location but also architectural styles that blend seamlessly together. Downtown Ann Arbor is blocks away from a vast majority of the campus buildings on Central Campus. As a result of hosting a globally renowned university, Ann Arbor benefits by having a diverse population, especially when compared to the baseline Michigan population. The city has a higher number of foreign born residents as well (not counting university students) and is home to numerous University sponsored cultural programs and shows. Ann Arbor is a melting pot of ideas, arts, culture and academic ideas. It really has given me a sense of appreciation for living in a cosmopolitan area and has positively impacted me to think more about my views from a global perspective.
Memories come flooding back - whether it was waking up early to catch the Blue Bus for North Campus, rushing through the dining hall, or sprinting to a morning chemistry lab in the midst of the first Michigan winter as freshman, the hustle and bustle of campus life was ever present. The excitement and camaraderie of Michigan Football and roar of game days in the fall was also a highlight. I recall the crisp air before the first snowfall and the bright wintery skies afterwards as the fall semester came to a close. Daily life meant rubbing shoulders with some of the smartest people I met, from professors to fellow students, and benefiting from their knowledge and insights. The walkability of Ann Arbor and the campus ensured I achieved well over ten thousand steps per day. Even on the long days of studying and the struggle to find open seats in the libraries during exam season, a quick walk outside was a welcome relief. These memories remind me of the challenges and triumphs of my college years, a time of growth, learning, and unforgettable experiences.
Outside of the classroom, I let my curiosity and thirst for knowledge lead me down many different paths with hands-on experiences. I ventured into academic research, building IoT sensor nodes and gaining insights into environmental issues. I found community through university student organizations (even starting several) as well local groups like All Hands Ann Arbor. I joined a university startup incubator and led students as a resident advisor. Through internships in local companies, I honed technical proficiency and acquired valuable industry knowledge. Furthermore, I actively participated in hackathons and career fairs, learning the art of networking and cultivating my professional growth. All of these experiences have impacted my career aspirations and life trajectory.
Between May and September, however, the quiet summers offered a stark contrast, allowing for exploration and engagement with other parts of the city, such as leisurely strolls through the Arboretum, scenic walks along the Huron River and the laid back arts festival. Summer in Ann Arbor was a special treat, something I lamented at first but am so glad I got to enjoy. I met many non-students and alumni alike in the summer soccer leagues, took classes at nearby Washtenaw Community College, and had the opportunity to explore more of Michigan by going stargazing and camping up north.
Departure is also symbolic of the end of this phase of my life. I came here almost 5 years ago with hopes and dreams and aspirations. I can’t help but think of all the growth - spurned by good & bad - that has happened here. My journey in Ann Arbor has been marked by significant growth, both academically and personally. The challenges and opportunities presented by this unique environment spurred my ambitions and contributed to notable achievements.
As I prepare to leave, I ponder the impact Ann Arbor has had on my life's trajectory. This place shaped me in ways I could never have anticipated, influencing my life and leaving me with some precocious memories and life lessons. The connections made here, against the backdrop of this town's history and culture, have imprinted on me a sense of identity intertwined with the essence of Ann Arbor itself. Would I have the same world views if I lived in a less diverse town? Would my politics lean more to the right? Would I have been exposed to all these different perspectives? Perhaps my time in Ann Arbor is just a preview of life to come. For now I am headed home to my family to weather the uncertain days of the pandemic - I hope to one day return to Ann Arbor; its best days are still ahead of it.
