"Here I Became" | The Transformative Journey of Ms. Anarsha KM ❤️

A Rendezvous with Ms. Anarsha KM

Past Intern with the Office of International Programmes, MCC

Well, I remember the day quite vividly in memory.

It was the 11th of July 2025 at 2 pm in the CMS Indoor Theatre, where I was invited by the HoD of the VisCom Dept to give a Talk on Orientation for students who aspire to do their Higher Studies Abroad.

The Creative Invite

At the end of my Talk, there were quite a lot of thought-provoking questions from the audience. One particular student from the II BSc Visual Communication Class asked a question relating to studies abroad, and after the programme was over, she came up to me and asked me if she could intern with the Office of International Programmes.

Her decision to approach me directly speaks volumes about her character and professional readiness.

In fact, it takes a significant amount of nerve for an undergraduate student to walk up to a speaker immediately after a presentation to pitch themselves. She possesses the confidence to advocate for her own academic growth thereby stepping outside her comfort zone.

Moreover, she didn’t wait for a formal circular, or a call for applications, to apply for such a programme. I impulsively felt that, she was able to clearly envision how this practical experience fits into her desired professional trajectory.

Hence, as a first step, I asked her to be nominated by her Head of the Department, and then to come to our Office for a formal interview. She aced the interview well, and also promptly joined the Office for a two-month stint as Office Intern in our Office.

Anarsha's First Paper Presentation

In addition, on one occasion, I asked her if she would be able to present a Paper in an International Conference. She gladly agreed. She got the paper ready in a week’s time and showed it to me as well.

On yet another occasion, when I asked her if she would be confident enough to give a lecture in my II MA English class for my students, she gladly agreed, and did an impactful presentation on “Podcasts as a Digital Humanities Tool: Preserving Oral Histories in the Digital Age”. She also handled the questions that followed with such elegance.

Yet on another occasion, I asked her, ‘Anarsha, you have a very good way with words. Why don’t you start blogging?’ She started blogging soon after. 

I personally feel that, this is exactly the kind of behaviour that separates students who just come to College as a routine and passively consume lectures from those who are actively building a portfolio of real-world skills.

And today, 29th June 2026, after successfully graduating from MCC, she came to meet me with a meticulous prior appointment. And she was there on time spot-on! I was so overjoyed to see her, and I decided to have an impromptu interview with her as well. Without any hesitation, she gladly nodded to the call.

Here goes excerpts from the interview -

Hello Anarsha, are you ready for a surprise, impromptu interview?

Gladly yes, sir.

Okay now, you’ve done three years in MCC. Now tell me, how has your perspective to life changed in these three years. Also tell us about how MCC happened?

I wanted to belong somewhere. I was a social butterfly. Initially I was not able to make friends. But then, MCC changed it all for me.

The famous documentary titled, ‘Here I Became’ that was released during Deepwoods, you must have watched it, Sir?

Oh yes!

I am so happy to say that, I gave the name to this documentary, Sir.

On an aside, Here I Became is a student-led documentary that captures the legacy and transformative journey of students at Madras Christian College. The documentary explores campus life, personal growth, and the lasting impact of the institution on a student’s life, from their initial steps in the corridors to the lasting values they carry forward after graduation.

The film was created to capture the essence of life and growth on the campus, in tune with the belief system of all students who pass out from MCC - You don’t just GO through MCC. You GROW through it.”

So how did MCC transform you?

Well, Sir, MCC has made be the somebody that I am today. When I came here, I didn’t believe in myself. But after coming here, I gained lots of confidence in myself.

How did MCC happen?

Well, in the first place, MCC was not my first option at all. I intended to join NIFT, as I was planning all about passion. But then MCC happened. It gave me a new hope. MCC gave me a family of friends. Most importantly, MCC gave me confidence to face life. MCC helped me to think out of the box, and now I can say, that MCC made me a better version of myself, of which I’m so proud of, today.

Now, coming to the Office of International Programmes, how has your Internship with the Office helped you?

Earlier, before coming to this Office, I used to look out for fellowships, scholarships and programmes outside the College. But after coming to this Office, I got the confidence that, I can go abroad without spending money on tuition fees and other miscellaneous fees. Earlier I thought, I would take an edu loan, spend a lot of money on my tuition fees, and do higher studies abroad. Now I’m confident of getting a 100% scholarship.

Moreover, I learnt that on-site experience is very important. To interact confidently with people, ask questions politely to visitors, etc.

Any one particular instance that you can quote from memory, from your stint in this Office?

Yes, Sir. The Taiwan programme that happened on 14th July 2025. I was totally unprepared for the event, and I was fresh into my internship, and when you suddenly asked me if I could do the MC, I agreed, but I felt a bit underconfident though! But then I told myself, ‘Anarsha, you should do it, you should do it!’.

Guess what? I didn’t even know the Taiwanese professor sitting next to me all through the programme. But when the programme was over, she came up to me, and said, ‘You did it so well’.

That felt so nice to hear. That was indeed a very memorable occasion for me.

Anything else you learnt during your time in the Office of International Programmes?

I started reading a lot of books and newspapers that were stacked up in the Office. I also learned the habit of documenting the daily visitors to our office. I also read through the brochures of the hundreds of foreign universities that were decked up in the Office. Added, I was also able to engage confidently with a lot of people from many foreign countries. To me, the Office is so pleasant and positive. I learnt to make my day ‘rewarding’ in every way, after coming to this Office.

Thank you Anarsha. It was such a joy talking to you.

Thank you, Sir.

It was indeed such a joy and delight to know that our Interns are doing so well now. I then rang up her Head of the Department Dr. Selvaraj, who had a lot of good words to share about her.

I would like to mention a few of his observations on his vibrant student –

She was such a good student, Sir. She was very good at content writing. In fact, she helped us a lot with the IQAC documentation so meticulously. She also actively participated in all the events that were organised both in the Department and in College. All the Newsletter reports for the College Newsletter were curated by Anarsha. Right from Day One she actively involved herself in all the activities with a cheerful spirit. She’s been part of our PR Campaigns as well. This apart, she has also presented Papers in many conferences, he added.

Felt so happy to hear that from her Professors.

Here's wishing Ms. Anarsha all success in all her noble endeavours.