On Jan 13, 1981 I landed at John F. Kennedy Airport, New York in frigid cold with snow on the ground. This was my first trip in plane let alone first trip outside India and away from the comfort of my parents home. After immigration and custom I was supposed to go to Eastern Airlines terminal. I learned that I have to take a bus to go there but the driver dropped me at the wrong terminal or we did not understand each other. Only inside the terminal I could learn that I have to go to the next terminal. In India walking is not an issue so I decided to walk, soon to realize that my new Ambassador, Bata shoe is no match for the ice covered street on the top of that I did not know that in US people drive on right side. After a couple of honking one person signaled me to walk on sidewalk. I arrived at the right terminal and got into the plane to Charlotte and from there to Columbia, SC.
Next morning I was driven to the University of South Carolina for registration. Apparently I was late for my appointment that I did not know existed. Prof. Farach handed me over to Prof. Cathy for help with registration. He asked me what you want to study, Nuclear Physics, I said. He sorted through bunch of punched computer cards and handed me four of them, gave me a direction to registration place. I walked there to find that I do not have enough money to register for the class. I knew this must be a mistake as I was told not to bring any money. After talking to a few people the problem was solved as they could not understand that I have been offered teaching assistant ship by the Department of Physics. After registration I went to book store and got my books and notebook. Back at the Physics department Mr. Sproul showed me my small office with desk, bookshelf.
My 1st class in the United States was Quantum Physics and 1st class I ever class was in Physics 201 experiment balancing the force. In early days I had considerable problem in teaching as students were having hard time understanding my English. After a few days of my registration I found out that Prof. Cathy when he handed me the registration papers he assigned himself as my research Supervisor. I went to his laboratory to work with him. Compared to Indian standard it was a very fancy laboratory studying Nuclear Spectroscopy. In about three months I found out that this research is out dates.
One afternoon I was going to the fourth floor where graduate students mail boxes are located. Those days only communication back home was through printed mail and I used to think that I will get a letter everyday. While crossing the
