COLLEGE ACCEPTANCE

Dear Samita, 

Congratulations!

We are thrilled to inform you that you have been accepted into Kantipur International College as a student of Interior Design. Your application stood out among a highly competitive pool of candidates, and we are excited about the prospect of you joining our creative community. 

“I must have read that email at least ten times when I received my acceptance letter!” exclaims Shamita. “It felt like a dream come true. I’d only ever seen moments like this in high school movies, and when it finally happened to me, I could hardly contain my excitement and thrill.”

WHEN EDUCATION WAS A GIFT

“When the path of education was granted to me, it was a rare opportunity which I simply couldn’t let slip away.” Shamita was around the age of 13 when she enrolled in Kopila Valley School. “My enrollment meant a sigh of relief to my parents. Both of them come from a line of families where education was often set aside due to pressing family responsibilities. 

“My parents got married young due to family pressure. With the mounting responsibilities of raising children, my father had to find a way to be financially secure and equipped. In the pursuit of finding his purpose, he took a driving class and eventually took on the job of a bus driver when my oldest sister was born. When I came into the world, I added to the burdens they already carried. So for my family, the chance for me to attend Kopila Valley School, completely free of cost, represented a chance to break free from a cycle of limited opportunities. It meant I could go to school, and so could my SISTER!!” 

Fitting the name “Kopila” (which means “bud” in Nepali), Samita BLOOMED at the school. She spent 13 years there and almost every day, she spent at least eight hours learning. That was all she knew to do; learn, learn, and learn. Beside leading a smart student’s life, she was also leading an artist’s journey. Colors and brushstrokes were another creative language she understood. In free time, you could see her painting her imaginations on canvases. Whether it was learning new things from textbooks or from vibrant colors, learning was never at the expense of her joy. 

LOOKING AHEAD: LIFE AFTER GRADUATION

Samita graduated from Kopila Valley School in the year 2023. “When you start hearing what your friends are planning for their future, it makes your thoughts pace and overwhelms you because you don’t want to fall behind. I wanted to go to a good college in Kathmandu, or maybe abroad, but that was just wishful thinking because deep down, I knew my parents couldn’t afford to send me away. This is why I took some time to seek out the cheapest and quickest course to pursue.” 

“As someone who loves creating, I came across a course I was excited about — Interior Design – only to find out later that they don’t teach it in my hometown, and it is above the financial ability of my parents. I felt emotionally tattered and disheartened, and I really didn’t know what to do.” 

But this obstacle did not stop Samita from pursuing the course – because she is a problem-solver who wields willpower like a lightning bolt. Determined, she applied for the Higher Education Fund (HEF – interest-free loan program) offered by Kopila Valley School. Within a few weeks, she was dragging her suitcase on her way to Kathmandu to pursue Interior Design. 

“I genuinely believe that education is a true gift, and throughout my journey, Kopila Valley has continually guided me and provided the resources I need to thrive, regardless of the challenges I face. Receiving the HEF has been the most significant transformation I’ve experienced since graduation, opening doors I never thought possible and unlocking possibilities I once thought were out of reach.”

Currently, Samita is thriving as a student of Interior Design at her college in Kathmandu. She is deeply passionate about her coursework, finding immense joy in the glory of creativity. She loves the way interior design allows her to transform spaces into reflections of her own personality. The hands-on projects and design challenges excite her, fuel her enthusiasm, and push her creative boundaries. And she’s particularly drawn to the way interior design marries artistic vision with functionality. 

It’s been almost a year since Samita’s college life began, and adapting to life far from her family has been a journey of self-discovery and growth. “Living among many girls in a hostel, most of whom I have never met before, has made me realize that I have difficulty making new friends. I consider this a valuable discovery about myself because it prompted me to reflect on my social skills and encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone.” Kathmandu has become both a backdrop and a catalyst for Samita’s personal development. She says the city’s dynamic pace and diverse experiences have offered her a new perspective on life, one that is both exhilarating and demanding. 

“What fuels me every day is the fact that I don’t want to leave. I need to stay here, in the heart of the universe, to create something and leave behind something invaluable. Here’s what I have learned since my youth: as you grow, you will begin to feel content with some of the things you can’t possibly imagine right now. You will learn to enjoy your own company as much as you enjoy the company of others, you will wake up on a Saturday morning, make a coffee for yourself, and be proud of where you are and how much you’ve accomplished. As you grow, you will become more comfortable with looking inwards. You’ll uncover inspiration, motivation, and a strong willpower to carry your journey all the way to the final pages of your book.”

Samita reminds us that when you are content with your life because you worked tirelessly for it, you experience the true value of being educated!!!!

We are thrilled to have one of our very own Kopila Valley School graduates write this guest blogger series and share alumni stories! Anjali Karki graduated in 2019 and is pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism along with a journalism career. We can’t wait to see what each of these world-changers does next. Follow us on social media with the series hashtag (#NarrateYourKopilaStory) for more about these young adults and their adventures.