Charu "LA hotshot" Bahl

When Charu Bahl boarded an eighteen hour plan ride to come to America, she had high hopes about attending her new school. Having come from Delhi, India, she was looking forward to making new friends and learning all about the country of America. Bahl had lived in India all her life, but once her brother ventured to America to attend college at Boston University, Bahl decided that she too would attend college in America, and the University of Tampa, in Tampa, Florida was her school of choice.
Months earlier, Bahl had received a brochure in the mail for the university, which pictured an aerial view of the campus. The aerial view that was pictured showed a beautiful beach right on campus, and this was the winning point for Bahl. Bahl would later learn that this “beach” was in reality a small river by the side of campus. In the meanwhile however, she dreamt of spending her days at the beach in between classes, and with this idea paired with the school’s large international population in mind, she ventured off to America and began attending classes. To Bahl’s advantage she had gone to an American school since she was young, and was fluent in English. Even with this advantage, it was a hard transition for Bahl. She went from a country where everyone spoke her native language, Hindi, to a place where virtually no one knew Hindi at all. “It was a definite culture shock,” said Bahl,” people here are much more polite and friendly, and everyone is so outgoing.” In her native country of India, most people found their own way and asked very few questions.
Since Bahl has been at the University of Tampa, she has enjoyed all three years of her college experience. She has made many friends and has become very accustomed to the American way of life. With only one year left at the university, she looks forward to graduating and moving onto the next stage of her life. She will be graduating with a degree in Advertising and Public Relations. “My grandfather introduced me to many actors and actresses in Bollywood, and I saw their publicists and knew instantly that is what I wanted to do” said Bahl. Bahl hopes to successfully graduate in May and obtain a job as a publicist in the city of Los Angeles.

By: Chelsea Gillis