Student Spotlight - Roshni Sarfani

If you could be magically transported to one specific location right now, where would it be?

This question brings into my mind so many ideas!  If given a chance, I would like to visit Canada.

As a new student, what are the top three things you liked about the Academy?

As a new student at the Academy, I wanted to have a mentor who could guide me if I faced any obstacles. Fortunately, I got to meet not only one person but dozens of them who helped me settle. There were subject teachers, form tutors, head of departments, grade leaders, as well as my peers who helped guide me. The teachers were very approachable, so whenever I landed in difficulty, I would ask any one of my friends or my teachers and got an instant response.

What is keeping you focused and positive?

As I live in an apartment, I always have people around me in one way or another. As it was lockdown we could not meet our friends and neighbours in spite of being just a few steps away. For a couple of months, we followed the laws strictly. As time passed by the children thought of spending time together. One weekend we met and talked, ranging from what’s going in our homes to what’s happening in countries which are oceans apart. We kept meeting every weekend and played a few games like badminton, throwball and many more to keep ourselves fit. This really kept me boosted and positive.

Biggest cause of frustration/challenge during lockdown?

We all know that it is not possible to be happy and ecstatic all the time, especially during the time when we are locked up in our homes. There are times when we feel annoyed and frustrated.  Staying at home was not as blissful as I thought it would be in the beginning. News was something very saddening for me, thousands of people dying, people losing their jobs, starving and struggling to go back home.

Any things you are finding really beneficial about the lockdown?

At the beginning of the lockdown, I saw people putting up pictures of themselves cooking, baking and spending quality time with their families and embracing each other. Just like these people, I was also trying out new activities during the first two months, but then I felt this also is getting a little boring, so I started to think about the future. If there was no lockdown, it would not have been possible for me to get into the Aga Khan Academy. Lockdown has paused a rapidly-progressing world and as a result we are able to spend good quality time with our families. As all activities during the lockdown were halted, I got time to think about my future and discuss it with my parents. I was also able to attend a few virtual career guiding sessions which would not be possible without the existence of the coronavirus. I was also able to discover skills which I never thought of focusing on, while helping mom with household chores and connecting with old and new friends virtually. These are all the positive effects of the lockdown for me.

If you had a chance to pass on one piece of advice to your fellow students right now, what would it be?

There is an iconic saying by Birbal (one of the Nine Gems in Akbar’s court) that resonates with our situation during the lockdown, “Yeh samay bhi guzar jayega” which means ‘this time will pass too’. This is very relatable as these few months have not been easy, but these circumstances are a part of life. It is important to remember they are not here to stay and will hopefully pass soon.