Like many people my age, I was often confused and a bit scared of the unknown. As a kid growing up in Delhi, I often played it safe, sticking to familiar places and faces. This cautious approach even influenced my career choice—I ended up pursuing engineering, a common path among my peers, preparing tirelessly for the JEE exams. To be honest, I didn’t enjoy it at all. It was the fear of trying something new that kept me on this well-trodden path.

Then one night, everything changed during a casual conversation on Discord. A friend mentioned UI/UX design. I’ve always been the creative type, fascinated by technology and intrigued by what makes people tick, but I had no idea there was a whole field focused on designing digital experiences. Suddenly, a new path seemed to open before me. Despite my usual reservations, something deep inside told me to explore this further.

This curiosity led me to a chat with Bala, the Director of the Institute of Design at JKLU. He was instrumental in helping me overcome my fears and take a leap into the unknown. So, I made the tough decision to leave Delhi and join the design program at JKLU. I remember my first day there vividly—the excitement mixed with nervousness, surrounded by new faces in a new place.

Adjusting to this new world wasn’t easy. There were late nights, steep learning curves, and bouts of self-doubt. But each challenge taught me resilience, and slowly, I started excelling, notching an 8.1 CGPA in my first semester. More importantly, I felt passionate about what I was doing every single day.

Last year, I had another incredible opportunity—to represent India at a United Nations youth peace camp in South Korea. Standing among peers from around the globe, I initially doubted my place there. Was I good enough? Could I really make a difference? But this wasn’t just about representing my country; it was about discovering my strengths and facing my insecurities.

Today, as president of the student chapter of ADI at JKLU, I reflect on my journey from being an average student in Delhi to becoming a leader in Jaipur, from engineering to design, and from India to South Korea. It has shown me that embracing your true passions, despite the risks and fears, is crucial for discovering who you really are.

-Aaditya Kakkar,
Student, Institute of Design