I spent spring break a couple of years ago with the Embera Puru, a native tribe that lives in the rain forests of Panama, a couple of hours by boat from the nearest roads. I was with a group of UCLA students, and together we worked with the community and its micro business, which involved bringing tourists to its community to learn about its culture.
One of the days we were there, when I was wearing a UCLA basketball shirt, a tourist came up to me, shook my hand and said, “Class of 1960, nice to meet you.”
It was such a surreal feeling knowing that I had just met a fellow Bruin in a rain forest in Central America. We ended up chatting about how campus has changed, what he studied and, of course, UCLA basketball.
The rest of the week was a rewarding experience, and the group of students I was with made the trip really enjoyable. During the trip, I truly realized that UCLA is a worldwide family and I was part of it.
Afterward, the term “home” was no longer exclusive to the house I grew up in. It started including UCLA and Westwood, as I felt like I was a member of something bigger than any one person or group.
This Bruin family feeling is one I hope never escapes me. It certainly comes, in part, from a combination of interesting classes, great student groups and fun jobs. But it really comes from late-night discussions in Hedrick Hall’s fourth-floor lounge, at tailgates before football games, doing eight-claps in Pauley Pavilion, during weekend trips with friends, attending Spring Sing and dancing at Dance Marathon.
It’s a little saddening to have to leave this place. I’ll miss sitting in the Den, walking to campus and even voting in student government elections. But graduation should be seen as a transition, not an ending. We’re no longer students, but as alumni we’re still part of the Bruin family.
For those who aren’t graduating: UCLA is the best place in the world, but only if you let it be. Get involved and take advantage of everything available to you. To pass along the best advice I ever received: Say yes to life.
Ramzanali was an Opinion columnist from 2009-2011.