For many students, the transition to college is daunting. Having this experience 8,667 miles and oceans away from home may make it seem even more so.
Despite this, Atharv Gudi, a University of Illinois freshman from Bangalore, India, has taken the challenge in stride.
“Life can change really, really quickly, so you’ve just got to make the most of what you’ve got,” Gudi said.
Gudi is no stranger to being abroad: an exchange program during his secondary education saw him studying in Germany, in addition to other trips he has made to Europe in the past.
He claims that his experiences in other countries have allowed him to interact and form relationships with a greater range of people.
“Europe and the U.S. are a lot more similar than I thought,” Gudi said. “The way people behave is pretty similar in these areas, so I knew how to get along with different people and I knew the general social vibe, and that helped a lot more.”
Described endearingly by friends as “sociable, good-natured, and dramatic,” Gudi has already carved out a place for himself on UI’s campus. He is currently involved in seven different Registered Student Organizations, one of which being the Altgeld Ringers.
The Ringers are one of the University’s oldest organizations; those involved practice playing music on Altgeld Hall’s 101 year-old bells, and once they are deemed ready, students perform these songs for all of campus to hear.
According to Chimesmaster Michael Broussard, the Ringers are a fundamental part of UI’s culture, and have a great impact on those at the University.
“The Altgeld Chime has a long history of music making within UIUC’s community… If we can brighten up any one person’s day or help within the community, musically or otherwise, then I feel like we are representing UIUC in a positive manner,” Broussard said.
If positivity is what the Ringers wish for people to take away from their presence on campus, then Gudi’s friends claim he is the perfect fit for such a group.
Morgan Clark, a graduate and international student from the U.K., says Gudi is one of the reasons she has enjoyed her time on campus so much.
“I owe a lot to Gudi for my experience here at UIUC… I honestly don’t know how he does it, but he literally knows everyone and he hasn’t even been here a full semester yet,” Clark said. “He was the one who has introduced me to an amazing friendship group, without which I don’t think I would be enjoying my time here at UIUC as much as I am.”
Gudi hopes to continue to spread a similar cheer across campus through his work with the Altgeld Ringers. Though he can’t view his audience from the bell tower, he feels a connection with them nonetheless.
“I am most excited to just know that there is going to be a whole audience that I don’t know of. I’m going to be shut away in a room and play whatever I want, and everyone around has to hear me,” Gudi said, laughing. “It’s also nerve wracking, but still.”
Both in and out of the bell tower, despite the vast distance between his hometown in India and his new home in Champaign, Gudi has embraced his role on campus.
“I feel nice and proud to be a part of [the University],” Gudi said.