Nithin Pusapati
Eight weeks ago, I didn’t think I would be sad to leave. Yet, right now, I’m dreading my impending departure on Saturday. It’s unreal how comfortable I’ve grown living in New Orleans over the last two months--whether it’s riding the bus/streetcar, giving tourists directions, and eating a poboy without getting half of it on my lap. My NOLA memories are bittersweet. I’ve loved NO/AIDS and the people I work with here. I’m amazed at how everyone has made me a part of their lives so quickly. I’ll miss getting snoballs and late night Cafe du Monde. I’ll miss catching up with my other DukeEngagers every day. I’ll miss the laid back attitude of this city, though it has been,at times, entirely frustrating. From the bus tours to the ghost tours, from Uptown to the 9th Ward, there’s so much I’m happy that I’ve gotten to see and do. However, as my time here has progressed, I’ve realized that I haven’t even scratched the surface of NOLA-- all the more reason to come back, right?
Whether it was our group outing to Oak Alley plantation, or the time I went to the Beyonce and Jay-Z concert, DukeEngage NOLA has been fun in so many ways. I’ve had a blast working with Rodney, Michael, and Stefanie this summer, especially because I learned so much about what it means to work in a non-profit with such impactful community based goals like NO/AIDS’s. I’m proud that Erica and I have been able to impact NO/AIDS’s Development department through our Dining Out For Life campaign and other work. I hope that I’ve been able to help NO/AIDS as much as the organization has benefited me.
I expect that people will ask me whether DukeEngage was worth my time. I know that New Orleans is still dealing with socio-economic, environmental, health, and political issues in a post-Katrina world. Yet, despite the devastation that Hurricane Katrina brought, the people of New Orleans have, in many ways, fought against all odds for their city. Every day I am here, I am amazed at the New Orleanian spirit that kept this city going and continues to revitalize it, despite all odds. New Orleans is special.
I can’t speak for my other DukeEngagers, but for me, DukeEngage has been worth it because New Orleans is worth it.
Whether it was our group outing to Oak Alley plantation, or the time I went to the Beyonce and Jay-Z concert, DukeEngage NOLA has been fun in so many ways. I’ve had a blast working with Rodney, Michael, and Stefanie this summer, especially because I learned so much about what it means to work in a non-profit with such impactful community based goals like NO/AIDS’s. I’m proud that Erica and I have been able to impact NO/AIDS’s Development department through our Dining Out For Life campaign and other work. I hope that I’ve been able to help NO/AIDS as much as the organization has benefited me.
I expect that people will ask me whether DukeEngage was worth my time. I know that New Orleans is still dealing with socio-economic, environmental, health, and political issues in a post-Katrina world. Yet, despite the devastation that Hurricane Katrina brought, the people of New Orleans have, in many ways, fought against all odds for their city. Every day I am here, I am amazed at the New Orleanian spirit that kept this city going and continues to revitalize it, despite all odds. New Orleans is special.
I can’t speak for my other DukeEngagers, but for me, DukeEngage has been worth it because New Orleans is worth it.