Here finally. Its been around three weeks since I came here, and I’m really getting into this place! But for those who have no idea what I’m doing here, this is the story :

Chapter 1: India

1. How I ended up here:

July 09 – My mom saw this form in the newspaper asking for people to apply for the Singapore Airlines Scholarship which would give selected candidates a chance to get free education in one of the top Junior Colleges in Singapore and would also be paid a monthly allowance of S$200 apart from the other things. I filled up the form just for kicks, only to realize that I’ve been selected to take the written test at the Radisson sometime in August.

2. The Test:

The test, to be honest, was a no-brainer. Pretty straight forward, the whole test comprised of subtests, namely mental ability, math, english essay and comprehension. After spending a whole lot of time finishing the tests, I just completely forgot about the whole thing because I had the first terms to concentrate on.

3. The dream:

First terms were now over, and I had failed math by a considerable margin. 22 by no means is “just” fail, its a bomb. From 98 to 22, it hurts. Not that I had done really well in my other tests, I now started wishing that I just get through the scholarship thing and thus reset my class 11. A month later, I got a letter calling me for my interview to the Radisson again.

Luck was favouring me at this point of time. And its always better to go with the flow.

4. The interview:

November 09 – I was skipping the Founder’s Day for my interview and on the way, I started thinking that if I were to leave, I would definitely miss out on a LOT of things, Head Boy being one of them, and other stuff like CCAs etc (not to forget my friends here). But after serious thinking, I decided that I had to leave, because I wasn’t really doing well here, with me now getting involved in commerce CCAs as well, it was just getting out of hand.

And with this approach I went for the interview. My interviewers were officers from the Ministry of Education from Singapore. After going through my achievements etc, they finally asked the inevitable question:

Why do you want to leave your school if your CCAs and studies are top notch here?

This question was the crux of my dilemma – why would I want to leave? Did my school suck? Did the teachers not teach well? Was I not getting opportunities? I couldn’t really disagree with points 2 and 3…but somehow I answered my question and got away.

5. The letter:

A week later, I got my letter, with the acceptance form to fill. Yes, I got my scholarship – a lifeline – an opportunity to start afresh. A way to erase all my bad grades from class 11 to do well again, be what I was – somewhere at the top. Plus I DID get to do my CCAs here so it wasn’t really a worry. I would lose just 6 months, but its all for good. And thus, I said yes.

6. Formalities:

Thinking about how I just had another month and a half left with the friends i made over the past 6-7 years, I went and broke the news to some of my seniors and batchmates. Shocked at first, the thing started setting in. I was missing from class for 2 months and now I wouldn’t be around for the next year and a half. It just wasn’t worth thinking – not because they didn’t matter, but for the fact that the very thought made me think – do I regret what I’ve done? No. That’s not the answer. And I continued with my visa apps, ticketing etc.

7. Life after selection:

Surprisingly the school principal didn’t really give a damn. That was expected at first, but for someone who has seen me grow right from kindergarten, it was funny to note how she was trying to avoid all sorts of contact.

Life became increasingly simple after selection – all I went to school for was the Asian Region Space settlement design competition and future cities 2020 competition preparations. Working hard with teams, I was getting pretty sad for the fact that it was my last event with them, the school, in India.

8. The Law of Silveredge:

The law prevailed, everywhere. I don’t really know how, but the moment I got to know of my selection, I won all my last events – team or otherwise. INMUN, FutureCities 2020, Space Settlement, Japan Quiz to name some. A final touch to my 13 years here at Amity. :)

9. The last week:

The last week was just bad. Here I was trying to be happy that our team had made it to the finals of the asian levels for space set as winners for the first time, and then came the feeling that I would not be with them for this. Farewells etc were there, and the last day was funny with Rishab, Arjun, Shaashwat and Mallika from school meeting me at Citywalk. Packed up, ready to go.

That’s how it was while leaving. And now comes the S’pore part. :)

Chapter 2: Singapore

1. Flight:

19th Jan 10 – Flight delayed, bad weather. :P After saying countless number of byes, I was still saying “bye” to everyone! But after 4 hours of delay, me and the group of scholars with me left for our new home – Singapore.

2. First feel:

Landing at the Changi Airport, it seemed just out of another world. How could something be so clear? I missed the chaos, the whole jostly feel! We met our MOE officers who dropped us to our different hostels. I was alloted the ACS Oldham Hall for my hostel. Its a pretty decent place, to be honest. I prefer calling it a Prison with Facilities. :D

3. School

Anglo Chinese Junior College. Killer stuff. The super orientations, facilities, teachers, co curricular activities, school spirit….’nuff said. :P Its just too good to be expressed in words.

That’s how thing’s have shaped up. :D Will keep you guys updated.