Malavika Pande

“Being quarantined has led to a greater appreciation for real, human relationships. Conversing with the staff in the dining halls, the baristas at Joe’s, the cashiers at Milano and the guys who run the halal carts (and give food to the homeless — shout out to Karim!) provided me with refreshing outlooks on life. Everyone has a story to tell. … And although this year we do not get a grand celebration of our achievements, we should celebrate the little successes. We’ve cultivated friendships and realized our passions. We’ve seen each other grow intellectually and personally. Let’s not take our time here for granted. The network Columbia has given us will last a lifetime.”