Take it to the bank

July 2014, Bangalore
I decided it is high time to create a bank account for myself. After all, I am a Bachelor of Engineering degree holder now, aged more than 18 years. A bank account was not a necessity so far, as I was staying with my parents and could ask them for money anytime. I set out driving to the nearest branch and asked what were the steps to open a brand new account at the branch. I was politely told to go to another branch as this branch did not have the capacity to handle any more accounts. The lady was kind enough to give me the address of the other branch. I was confident I could find the place easily. I managed to reach the right location after some driving around and asking people for directions. I approached the manager, and received a glum response. I needed to have a Permanent Account Number (PAN) in order to create a bank account. So much for all the driving, I thought! The first thing I did after reaching back home that day was to go through the procedure to get a PAN card. I applied successfully and received the PAN card in a week's time.
By this time I was offered a small job, which I had decided to take up. The company would create a new bank account for me. I was relieved.

September 2014, Bangalore
It was time for my first salary. Our company is run by a Sir and ma'am. I went with ma'am one fine day to the bank near the company office. The purpose was the same, to create a bank account. I had filled the application form online. Unfortunately, at the bank, we were not able to take a printout, owing to some network problem. I again filled a paper application form. We were directed to get a signature from a senior officer at the bank. He seemed to be in his worst state of mind that day, and blatantly refused to sign as my address did not belong to the premises under this branch. Now we were at crossroads. We spoke to the manager, who seemed very obliging, and asked ma'am to get a letter stating that the account needs to be created at this branch as it is a salary account. We went back to the office, got the letter printed and also the application form I had filled earlier. It was smooth sailing after that. At the end of the day, I had a pass book bearing my name.

30 December 2014, Los Angeles
I went to create my first bank account in the USA today. As soon as I entered, a person near the entrance asked me how he could be of assistance. I told him what I needed and another older person opened the application form on his iPad and asked me to fill it. He was kind enough to help me fill in the accurate details. I was through the form and a lady at the counter helped me click photographs of my passport and upload them. Not for an instant did she appear weary of assisting me till we got a perfect picture. I waited for a few minutes after that and the person who gave me the iPad called me into his office. Within 10 minutes, I was outside the bank with my account number and debit card.

Long story short, the whole procedure seemed a lot easier and hassle-free here. Is it really so? I think it is just that everything is very systematic here and all citizens try to abide by the system. It is tempting to look for a trap door to get around, but what results from resisting that temptation is worth the effort. Maybe we forget that courtesy begets courtesy. Maybe it is upto people like me to go back and try to bring about a change in the small things, instead of complaining how good it is in the USA.

Thousands of miles away from home

Life as I know it, is never going to be the same! On Christmas day this year, I was at the Kempegowda international airport in Bangalore with my parents, ready to start my life changing journey. I was heading to Los Angeles for higher studies, through Hong Kong. Some friends who came to see me off enlivened the atmosphere, and made sure I did not, even for an instant feel sad about leaving home in search of greener pastures. Waving goodbye to my friends and parents through the glass panels at the airport seemed to bring out my heartless character, never to be burdened with the emotions and sentiments associated with such moments. It was a relief that I was accompanied by two new friends who were travelling to Hong Kong and then to Toronto. I was busy laughing at their light hearted antics while waiting to board the plane. The flight to Hong Kong was on time and uneventful. I spent the five and a half hours trying hard to get some sleep, but to no avail.
Immense amount of preparation in the last few weeks had not spared me of the nervousness and anxiety. I had tried to be as organised as possible, listing the items I need for the trip, rechecking and updating it. The best thing about going away is that everybody wants to spend some time with you and they say 'Let's meet one last time before you leave!' I realised how blessed I am to have so many well-wishers who went the extra mile and gifted me some tokens of good luck. Amidst all the 'You will forget us' and 'You will change a lot', I could sense the pride and kindhearted adulation. My friends came home on the last day and I cut a cake which said 'Bon voyage'. The one truly moving gesture was the video that they made for me. It summed up their good wishes. We posed for many group photos, one of which was framed and gifted to me later at the airport.
Hong Kong airport, with the huge number of gates was a marvel. If it wasn't for the air hostess who guided us to the gate for the next flight, we would have been lost. This was my first international flight and I knew many more such spectacles awaited me. It is here that I parted ways with my friends who were headed to Toronto, hoping to meet somewhere down the line. The duration of the next flight was 11 and a half hours. It is truly trying when you are alone. Sometime in between the flight, while I was watching a movie, I was struck by the thought that I could not go back home anytime soon even if I wished to and tears rolled down my cheeks. I quickly recovered. There was an Indian family next to me on the flight which consisted of two children. I listened to one of the young girls' perfect English with an American accent and wondered if I would be speaking like that in a couple of years.
I arrived at the Los Angeles airport at 6:50 AM on the 26th December. The immigration officer sent me to another room to double check my credentials. I was frightened and tried to convince myself that this was the case for anybody arriving on a student visa. The officer put me at ease, chatting pleasantly. The process was over soon and I was on the way to my apartment with a family friend who had kindly agreed to take the responsibility of picking me up from the airport and dropping me off. My roommates who had arrived 10 days earlier made sure I felt at home. I spent the whole day catching up on my sleep, owing to the jet lag.
It was only in the morning on the next day that I was active and ready to tour my new city. I had caught a glimpse of downtown Los Angeles, the most happening place, while driving home from the airport. Hollywood was right there, and I hoped to visit soon. I, along with one of my roommates and her brother decided to explore our university, which is the university of Southern California. We are going to spend a good two years there. I was fascinated by the atmosphere, the buildings and the mascot named Tommy Trojan. We were busy saving these moments for later by clicking pictures at all the iconic spots. The water fountains were something that amused us. We reasoned out that it was a way to make sure the water stayed clean. Also, the fact that we could turn on the red light for vehicles and cross the road while they waited, was an eye opener! After lunch, we spent time at the science center near the university. We were enthralled at the opportunity to touch star fish and some other sea animals. We visited the Los Angeles memorial coliseum which is the USC football stadium and headed back home. I was in awe of my city now! The fact that we could walk about all day without sweating or worrying about pollution was something that made me very happy. There are disadvantages too. I was prone to do some calculations in my mind and convert any money I spent in dollars to Indian Rupees and feel bad that I had spent a lot. The cost of living here is a lot higher than that in India, but I am geared up to prove my merit and start earning in dollars in a year's time. Yes, I am going to love it here! As for the people back home in India, well, they are all available at the touch of a button, thanks to technology!