Saying Hello
- averynitta
- Nov 3, 2024
- 3 min read
Hello from Kathmandu Nepal! Or should I say, namaste. I am currently studying at Rangjung Yeshe Institute in Boudha, famous for the Boudhanath stupa, a space which is deeply connected to the roots of Tibetan Buddhism. I grew up in Lyons, Colorado, a small town nestled in the shadows of the Rocky Mountain National Park’s towering peaks. As influential as growing up in Colorado was I felt a deeper connection to Oregon. When I was 17 years old I decided to pack up and move to Corvallis, Oregon, a place I have now called home for three and a half years. In doing this I graduated from high school early and found much relief to be done. High school was a place that constantly reminded me that I was not smart or capable. A message I have since proved wrong.
Since starting college, I’ve watched every aspect of my life bloom into something I’m deeply proud of. I attribute this growth to one thing, passion. You will soon learn that I am full of "cheesy" quotes and one of my favorites is that "everything happens for a reason" which has proven to be true time and time again. Growing up I had dreams of becoming a therapist, I always knew I was on this earth to help people and I thought this was the most logical career path. However, life had other plans.
In true Avery style I registered for my first college courses on the side of the road in Hawaii. A trip I took as an attempt to savor the last bits of freedom before school began again. My advisor, through a spotty Zoom call, informed me I was one of the last students to register, so there weren’t many classes left. By chance they had one seat open in a class titled "Introduction to Buddhist Traditions"and it fulfilled a required non western credit. I hesitantly signed up, feeling weary because I considered myself an atheist and saw religion as inherently negative. As well as being in the very begging stages of grappling with the loss of my best friend. Something in my life that religion played a very negative roll in.
To my surprise within the first week of class, I felt a spark of passion. Prior to this I was never one to ask or answer questions in class however this class was different, I knew the answers and I had questions to ask. I knew then that my purpose in life was not to be a psychologist. The second week of college was when I switched my major to religious studies. Looking back, part of me knows that maybe this decision stemmed from the desire to upset my parents or deal with the loss of my best friend. No matter the reasons, I am confident that it was the best decision I've made.
Through my three years of studying Religious Studies at Oregon State University the passion continues to grow each day. I have now held two jobs within the department, organizing (with the help of an amazing professor) a series of interfaith dialog panels as well as hosting the annual religious studies conference in 2024. I have also had the honor of being awarded the Hundere Award for Student Culture Engagement. These accomplishment are all things that high school Avery could have never dreamed of.
It was through all these life changing events that I realized how impactful my professor from that "random" class has been on me. My eyes were opened to the fact that being a psychologist was not the only way to help people. I am now on track for grad school, pursuing a Ph.D. in Buddhist Studies, with dreams of becoming an influential professor, just like the one who inspired me. The past three years I’ve challenged the messages I once received in high school, proving to myself that my success doesn’t rely on fitting into a standard mold. If you too were like me in high school, I want to tell you that you are not alone, and there is always room to prove others—and yourself—wrong.
As I mentioned, I’m currently living and studying in Kathmandu, focusing on colloquial Tibetan and an in-depth textual study of Shantideva’s Bodhicaryavatara. I feel like I’m taking my very first steps on the path toward a Ph.D., which to me is an exciting start. I hope we can stay connected through this blog as I complete my time in Nepal and continue this journey through life. I believe I will always learn a thing or two from writing, and my hope is that you, too, can learn and grow alongside me.
Incredible, Avery! So psyched to follow you on this journey. Keep showing the world who you are because it is much needed.