Creating Hope with The Power of Knowledge

This blog contains information pertinent to Lora Chowdhury - her work with children abroad and other community service activities.

Thursday, December 15, 2011

'Tis the Season to be Jolly

Speaking at the Child Rights Convention at Yale

Wow, I cannot believe I am already complete with my first semester of college at The University of Texas at Austin. This semester brought me some interesting and wonderful experiences. Being a full-time student and Miss Teen Texas International is definitely eventful. The beginning of the semester took me across the nation as I traveled as a national spokesperson for Distressed Children and Infants International. It was an honorable experience being a guest speaker at the Child Rights and Sights Convention at Yale University. As I spoke about my passions of education, child rights, and equal opportunity, I was humbled by the esteemed guest the conference.
Honored to be standing next to DCI Goodwill Ambassador and acclaimed actress Babita at a DCI Dallas fundraiser



 
Mingling with kids at DCI Chicago's Benefit
The beautiful Kim Cung



This semester I even made an appearance with a good friend and Miss Texas Collegiate, Kim Cung. Kim is a fellow longhorn (of course because UT is the best school) and an admirable young lady! We had a chilly and fun time at the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Walk in Austin, TX.

 





 


As the semester began to dwindle, I will admit I was crunched with studying. However, I always made time for my best buddy, Arianne. I was so excited to get involved with the UT Best Buddies program this year; best buddies unites college students to special needs residents around Austin to create a welcoming and fun environment for all of us to participate in numerous activities and events! Last week Arianne welcomed me into her apartment to help her and her family decorate her Christmas tree. Meeting Arianne’s parents and just sharing that afternoon with them was truly remarkable and I know the bond between Arianne and I is unbreakable. She is quite the young lady, believe me!



Looking back at the semester brings great memories to mind but my travels and experiences do not end there! Recently, I have been frantically packing for my month long trip to Bangladesh where I will not only get an opportunity to revisit my previous scholarship recipients, but I will also be privileged to expand on the orphanage library with the help of the Texas Bengali Students Association and work side by side in the DCI Health Care Clinic with my very own sister, a third-year medical student. 



Keep an eye out for my next blog entry to learn more about my adventures and work abroad!
Dancing with girls at the DCI orphanage in Bangladesh, Spring 2011