Arushima Swaroop

Two years ago, my family had to fly to India overnight for an emergency. It turns out, we couldn’t fly back with the Visa I had at the time. My dad returned alone for his job. I faced a lot of uncertainty not knowing that it would take a year for me to come back. Once the school year in the States ended, I was forced to enroll in a school in India. This was one of my hardest experiences. Everything felt so different, I was treated differently. My “home” didn’t feel like home. My family relied on our mantra- “Joh be hota hai, acche ke liye hi hota hai” (whatever happens, happens for the best). I had to look on the bright side. I focused on making friends, learning Hindi, and the precious time I got to spend with my extended family.

I have moved 15 times in my life. Each relocation brought anxiety, pushing me to adapt in uncomfortable situations. Raised in an Indian household that initially undervalued mental health, I struggled with anxiety on my own, attempting to heal myself by delving into every book and YouTube video I could find. Attending therapy was always looked at as a weakness, and I am committed to challenging that cultural stigma. I was most connected to this passion during my TEDx Talk discussing the powerful tool of journaling for mental health and personal growth. I discussed how writing my anxiety down taught me the invaluable lesson of slowing down and appreciating the present.

My love for the brain stems from personal exploration, empathy, and an endless curiosity about the complexity of human behavior. Exploring this beautiful field fuels my passion to heal, spark positive change, and illuminate what makes us inherently human.

March 2024