Introduction…

Hello everyone!! My name is Madhava Sai Yamike, and I hold a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the University of Illinois at Chicago. As an International student I have faced many problems like you all. To dive into my story let me give you all a quick introduction of my childhood days.

As an elder child to my parents, I always carried the responsibility of being a disciplined child and do good in academics. I had the best schooling, which gave me great friends and a fantastic childhood. As quoted by Dr Seuss “Sometimes, you will never know the value of something, until it becomes a memory." I have realized the value of my childhood as soon as I received my visa to leave to the United States to pursue my higher education.

Leaving behind the comforting familiarity of my hometown Hyderabad, I embarked on a journey that would shape the course of my life. At just 17, I set foot on American soil, filled with aspirations of pursuing a bachelor’s degree in computer science at the University of Illinois at Chicago. As an international student, the challenges came thick and fast. The cultural shock hit me like a tidal wave, and adjusting to the American lifestyle was no easy feat. From the food habits to the social norms, every aspect of my new environment felt like a foreign land. The homesickness gnawed at my heart, a constant reminder of the thousands of miles that separated me from my family and friends.

STORY BY : Madhava

But perhaps the greatest challenge of all was the struggle to secure an on-campus job. The competition was fierce, and opportunities for international students like me were scarce. I spent countless hours scouring job boards, attending career fairs, and submitting applications, only to be met with rejection after rejection.

Amidst the pressure to excel academically, I found myself grappling to keep up with my grades. The rigorous coursework and demanding schedule left little room for error. Late nights in the library, endless assignments, and the constant fear of failure became my daily companions. When I had no hope on how well I would perform in my academics, there was one silver lining—my friendship with Krishna Chaitanya Bavana. He was the ONLY person who taught me “You weren’t given this life to be average!”. Krishna took me under his wing, patiently guiding me through the fundamentals of programming languages and helping me navigate the complexities of my coursework. His kindness and mentorship were invaluable, and I will forever be grateful. He was and he is still my support system.

With constant learning and evolving I slowly started to get hold of American education system I thought my second semester is going to a banger and BOOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! COVID-19 Pandemic broke out and I was left with no choice, I left back to India to attend college virtually.

I used to be awake all night to attend my classes and finish up my assignments. The new routine had impacted me a little which first disturbed my metabolic schedule. Eventually I got adjusted to the new normal.

But amidst the chaos of academic and professional challenges, there was one constant in my life— the love I harbored for a Telugu girl during my sophomore year. Our bond was built on shared dreams, laughter, and countless moments of joy. I loved our late-night zoom call conversations about life, career what not I have shared my entire life with her. We laughed and cried together. She was my confidante, my soulmate, and the love of my life.

Life was going on Until a sudden break hit my life. As fate would have it, our love story took a tragic turn in my first semester of senior year, leading to a heartbreaking breakup that shattered my world. My grades plummeted, and for the first time in my college life, I withdrew from a subject.

The pain of losing her tore through me like a hurricane, leaving behind a trail of devastation. My mental health suffered as I struggled to come to terms with the reality of our failed relationship. Loneliness, rejection, and despair became my constant companions, casting a shadow over my days and nights. There were long lonely winter nights where I cried out loud in my apartment. My friends were scared to see me in that situation. Two days before the end of fall 2022 semester, I received a phone call from my dad where he was sitting in our car and crying so hard to see me as a depressed son.

If you ask me, do you have any regrets in your life? I would say Yes, the only thing I still regret today is that I have never seen my dad cry but that day when he burst into tears because of me I felt like I failed as a son. I have made my hero cry. I couldn’t take that.

Desperate for solace, I made the decision to return to India during the winter break of 2022. In the comfort of familiar surroundings, I found relief in the love and support of my loved ones. Slowly but surely, I pieced myself back together, gathering the strength to face the challenges that awaited me back in Chicago. On the day of my flight back to United states I Promised my parents that I would never make them stand in a miserable position again, I set out on a journey of self-discovery and healing.

THE COMEBACK!

With renewed determination and a sense of purpose, I returned to UIC for my final semester in January 2023. Armed with the lessons learned from my past and a newfound resilience, I tackled my studies with renewed vigor. Finally, after years of hard work and perseverance, the day arrived when I stood among my peers, adorned in my cap and gown, ready to receive my bachelor’s degree in computer science. As I looked out at the sea of faces before me, I realized that my journey was more than just about academic success—it was a testament to my strength, resilience, and unwavering determination to overcome the obstacles that life had thrown my way.

With a diploma in hand and a heart filled with dreams, I stepped into the world beyond the borders of my homeland, ready to embrace whatever challenges lay ahead. And though the road may be long and fraught with obstacles, one thing remained clear—I am always ready to face whatever the future held, with the courage of a survivor and the dreams of a visionary.

I would like to thank my Amma, Nanna, my brother Tarun and to everyone who supported me in this journey.

Bujji (This is what I usually call her) Thank you so much for being the love of my life. I don’t know whether I am going to find a person who is willing to share the rest of her life with me, but you will always be my bittersweet memory that I will carry my entire life. I wish you all the best and I believe you achieve all the goals we used to talk when we were together.

Before I wrap my story I request everyone to remember that “You are stronger than you think”

IF I DID IT YOU CAN TOO!!!!!!!