From India to Utah, meet Adie
As Aditya Chauhan sits at his computer desk, his face is eager and determined to accomplish the task at hand.
“Working with computers is something I’ve always wanted to do and I will be a step closer to that goal after graduating with my bachelor’s in computer science this semester,” Chauhan said.
Chauhan, or ‘Adie’ as his friends call him, is a senior at Utah State University and is in his last semester before graduation. He recently returned home from India; his first trip back since emigrating to Utah.
After arriving on the Logan campus in 2013, Chauhan lived on campus for a year before decided to pledge the fraternity PI Kappa Alpha in 2014 to meet more people and make friends. He quickly realized the language barrier was an obstacle he would have to get through before being comfortable in his new surroundings.
Kelly Henderson, a friend who pledged the fraternity with Chauhan, said from the moment he met Adie, he has always been an uplifting and bright soul to be around.
“His determination to succeed is outstanding,” Henderson said. “Not being familiar with American ways and being from another country truly displayed his ability to adapt and overcome challenges in his life since being here at Utah State… I have enjoyed the opportunity getting to know this fine gentleman and what I appreciate most about this guy is that no matter what he goes through, big or small, he is always smiling or cracking a joke to lighten the mood making sure that those around him are always in kind spirit. Truly a selfless man.”
Noemi Molina, another friend of Chauhan, said since they met in 2015, he has been able to adapt to the American lifestyle so well. Where even when he has a hard time grasping our customs, it does not bother Chauhan one bit.
“Sometimes he does some really bizarre things, but to his culture it is totally acceptable,” Molina said. “I’ll try to explain to him that what he did was really weird but he doesn’t always get it.”
Chauhan said his determination all comes from wanting to be successful in any surrounding he is placed.
“Communicating with people in a language that has so much slang is a hard task,” he said with a laugh. “But now that I have been here for three years I am no longer having to be corrected for making awkward statements.”
Chauhan was able to visit India last month for the first time since arriving in Logan and he said seeing his family was a breath of fresh air because he was beginning to feel homesick.
“Waking up to my favorite Indian dishes every morning after being in America for so long was really refreshing,” he said. “Now that I’ve seen my family I can finish strong knowing everyone is doing fine.”
He is now a programmer for the USU IT department and said the biggest difference between Utah and India, where he worked as a trainee for Jellyfish Technologies, is the convenience of labor-saving programs and the sense of entitlement that Americans have.
“The simplest thing such as garbage trucks having a set schedule to pick up trash from the streets is amazing,” he said. “The orderly system here and the ability of citizens to protect themselves and say what is on their mind is invaluable.”
David Sharratt, a USU programmer who works alongside Chauhan, said even with his busy schedule, Chauhan is always dedicated and ready to sacrifice his time for others.
“Whether it be school or coming in late to work Adie is always dedicated and motivated to accomplishing the task at hand,” Sharratt said. “And he cooks.”
With only one more semester to go, Chauhan said it is a bittersweet moment because of all the friends and relationships he has created. He also said he is hopeful to start his journey in the workforce.
Though he has the utmost confident he will be able to find a job after graduation Chauhan is still fearful of the one thing he can’t control.
“I fear global warming,” he said with a smile.
— paulythepiper@gmail.com