In November 2024, I stood in front of a panel, presenting my case on why I deserve the opportunity to spend the summer abroad, studying at the University of California, Berkeley. After a waiting for nearly two months, on a random Monday, my phone pinged. It was a notification that said, “Result Announcement – Berkeley Summer Session 2025”. I opened the email, with my heart racing a mile a minute. To my surprise, the email read “Congratulations, we are glad to offer you a grant covering 75% of the total program cost.”
At this moment, everything I had been working for the past three years suddenly felt worth it. At first, I had a vague idea of what to expect on this trip: taking a course, meeting new people, and sightseeing. But I didn’t realise that, in Berkeley, I had to figure things out on my own, which meant learning lessons I didn’t know I needed.
The Little Lessons
Take my very first day of class. I had misread an email that said seminars that week were on Zoom, but I assumed that lectures were too. When I realized they weren’t, I rushed down to the Social Sciences building, over 17 minutes late to class. I thought I had made the worst first impression ever. Only later did I find out about “Berkeley time” – a ten-minute grace period built into every class. That day, I laughed in relief, but the experience changed how I approached everything afterward. From then on, I was always 10 minutes early. It became my mantra: on time is late.
Once, I sprained my ankle. With no one around to lean on, I had to hobble around the dorms until I found a friend who could walk to the drugstore and get me healing ointment. It also happened to be the last day we could do free laundry, so nevertheless, I persisted. Despite my limping, I managed to get it done.
Even something as basic as navigating public transport was a big step. I had never really used buses or trains by myself before. Suddenly, I was studying BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) and AC (Alameda-Contra Costa) transit maps, missing stops, and retracing my way back. Then there was managing finances, of course. I had to plan, make trade-offs, and stick to a budget, which is tough sometimes, but as an undergrad student, it liberates you to know that less is more.
Finally, there was the quieter challenge of learning to enjoy my own company. During my first few weeks, before I made new friends at Berkeley, I spent a lot of time alone: surrounding myself with the company of books in the libraries of Berkeley, walking through the art-filled corridors of museums like SFMOMA or sitting by the pond at a park with my thoughts. At first, it felt like waiting for life to happen. But slowly, it became empowering. I realized experiences could be meaningful, even on my own.
Academics at Berkeley
Of course, academics were at the heart of my trip. In EDUC 42: Ecology of School Improvement with Dr. Eos Trinidad, I explored my passion for education development through projects like recording a podcast with an education professional, attending guest lectures, and working on school improvement ideas with peers. SOCIOL 5: Evaluation of Evidence with Dr. Peter Hurturbise and Monica Ramsy sharpened my research skills, teaching me to question data and arguments rather than just absorb them. Outside class, I used my free time to sketch and refine my senior thesis proposal, tying everything I was learning directly into the work I’m doing this fall.
The Warm Cal Community
Some believe Mark Twain said, “The coldest winter of my life was a summer spent in San Francisco”. The Bay Area’s weather feels less than zero to us Karachiites, but its people are the epitome of warmth. During my trip, Ana, a full-time Sociology student at UC Berkeley, became my closest friend. From exploring patches of grass around campus to chasing buses in San Francisco, we did it all together.
Other than that, the interactive nature of the courses I took and the dining hall at the International House led me to meet a number of new people. I befriended students in undergrad, post-grad and even PhD programs. This is the funny thing about studying abroad: you could be hanging out with someone you have absolutely nothing in common with, but somehow, it works.
Looking Back
When I think about my time at Berkeley, of course, I’ll remember the view from the Campanile, the walk to the library where I spent hours studying, or being blown away by the view of the Golden Gate. But those are just the photos. The real story is in the small, messy, human lessons.
But maybe the biggest lesson of all was gratitude. Gratitude to Habib University for making this opportunity possible, to my friends and family who encouraged me from afar, to my professors who helped me reach the point where I could succeed at Berkeley, and to the Berkeley community itself for being so open and welcoming.
And just like that, this trip led me to understand myself better, transforming into a more thoughtful, responsible and confident person. Now that I’m home and in my senior year, I carry those lessons with me, knowing they’ll shape not just my academics, but the way I approach life.
Explore Habib University’s Learn Abroad Program and discover how experiences abroad can shape not just your academics, but the person you become.
To read more about Laiba’s experience, check out her blog here: Laiba Bintay Khurram: UC Berkeley Study Abroad Journey
About the Author:
Laiba Khurrum is a senior at Habib University, majoring in Social Development and Policy. Hailing from Karachi, Pakistan, she has actively contributed to campus life through various roles, including Research Assistant, Learning Community Mentor, and Community Engagement Associate with the University’s Donor Relations team. Laiba is deeply passionate about education, mentorship, and fostering environments that encourage meaningful learning and personal growth. Whether she’s hosting reflective workshops, supporting student-led initiatives, or relaxing with friends in the Earth Courtyard after classes, Laiba is committed to building thoughtful and engaged communities.
