When I moved to the U.S., I wasn’t a Duke student.

I wasn’t enrolled in a program, didn’t have a class schedule, and didn’t know anyone outside my husband’s academic circle. I had left my role as a consultant at Infosys after getting married and moved across continents as my husband began his Ph.D. at Fuqua, supporting my family during an important transition.

I arrived on an F-2 visa — a status that comes with many restrictions. I couldn’t work, study, or pursue professional opportunities. Overnight, I went from having a clear professional identity to having none at all. The hardest part wasn’t the pause itself, but the uncertainty of who I was without a title to anchor me.

What I didn’t know then was that my sense of belonging at Duke would begin long before I ever received an admit letter.

Finding Purpose Without a Title

Instead of focusing on what I wasn’t allowed to do, I started asking myself a different question: How can I still contribute?

That search led me to HOPE NC, a nonprofit based in Chapel Hill that supports children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They were looking for a social media consultant, and with my background in marketing, it felt like a meaningful way to use my skills. Volunteering gave me more than something to do — it gave me perspective, community, and the reassurance that growth doesn’t always follow a straight line.

That year taught me something important: even without formal status, you can still learn, lead, and belong.

Establishing My Community and Second Home

As a spouse navigating a new country, I often wondered where I fit in. Duke surprised me with how intentionally inclusive it felt.

Through the Duke International Spouse Book Club, I met people from all over the world who were navigating transitions similar to mine. What stood out wasn’t just the friendships, but the continuity of the community. Even when members moved to different states or countries, they remained connected.

Moving across continents also meant slowly losing touch with my cultural and religious roots. Celebrating festivals far from family can feel isolating, especially when faith and tradition are deeply tied to home.

Discovering Duke Hindu Life changed that. Weekly gatherings and “Chai and Chat” sessions with Chaplain Priya Ameresh created a space where I could share emotions openly and feel supported. Over time, I became more involved — using my marketing background to help increase visibility, student participation, and support initiatives like the Hindu Host Family Program, which connects international students with local families who check in on them and celebrate festivals together.

Through this experience, I learned that leadership doesn’t always come with a title. Sometimes, it begins with care and initiative.

What I didn’t realize at the time was how much these community experiences would shape how I show up in the MQM program. Having already learned how to build relationships across cultures, take initiative without formal authority, and ask for support when needed, I entered MQM more grounded and confident. Group projects, team discussions, and networking didn’t feel intimidating — they felt familiar. The sense of belonging I found through community became the foundation I carried into the classroom.

Choosing MQM With Intention

After a year of reflection, I knew I wanted to return to my career with intention. Having an undergraduate degree in computer science and engineering and an MBA in marketing, I was looking for a program that blended technical depth with business and marketing insight. Fuqua’s MQM program stood out for doing exactly that.

MQM has helped me sharpen my technical skills and reconnect with my professional identity. However, the confidence to engage fully in team projects, discussions, and recruiting came from the community I had already built at Duke.

If you’re considering MQM at Fuqua and worried about whether you’ll fit in — especially if your journey doesn’t look traditional — I want you to know this: At Fuqua, belonging doesn’t begin with an admit letter. It begins with showing up, being open, and choosing community.

I’m grateful to Duke and Fuqua for offering me not just an education, but a place where I felt seen long before I was officially a student — and supported every step after.