Sarvik Chaudhary ’25 always knew going to college would be a part of his story, but after high school, he was unsure of what the future would hold.
“My parents made sure my sister and I attended the best schools. It’s because of them that I grew up loving learning,” says the first-generation college student from Surat, India. “They stressed the importance of education, because they had their own struggles, having not gone to college.
“They were always behind us,” Chaudhary continues, “and encouraged us to study whatever we’re passionate about.”
But Chaudhary says he was unsure of what his career interests were in 2019 when he was finishing his secondary education.
Instead of jumping into college right away, Chaudhary decided to take some time to decide his next steps.
“The best part of taking those gap years was discovering myself,” says Chaudhary. “I had to figure out how I can get a good education and equip myself with the information, knowledge, and talents needed to do whatever I wanted.”
Chaudhary moved away from home, separated himself from his phone, spent hours reading books and newspapers, and worked as a fellow for The Dexterity Global Group.
The Dexterity Global Group is a national organization in India that provides educational opportunities and training to high school and undergraduate students. Programs are designed to prepare young citizens to become leaders across diverse career fields, from education and entrepreneurship to corporate and global management.
Chaudhary says Sharad Sagar, founder and CEO of The Dexterity Global Group, was the one who encouraged him to take the leadership and entrepreneurship training he received through the organization and to pursue higher education in the United States.
“He was, and still is today, one of my greatest mentors,” Chaudhary explains. “He attended Tufts University, so that’s how I was inspired to pursue the liberal arts and see how that kind of education could help me figure out what I want to do.”
Chaudhary participated in Wabash’s Scarlet Honors Weekend (via Zoom due to the COVID-19 pandemic) and got a glimpse of college student life. He remembers being impressed by the virtual tour of campus, and the kindness shown by faculty, staff, and potential future classmates, but even more so by the structure of the classroom.
“All of the classes were discussion-based, which was different from classes in India where the teachers lecture,” says Chaudhary. “I never was a fan of lectures. I always felt like I had things to say, opinions or questions to raise, or like I wanted to hear more from different perspectives. I saw all that happening here.”
While he was eager and excited, Chaudhary also recalls feeling like “a fish out of water” during his first semester at Wabash.
“Since kindergarten, I attended boarding school so I was used to being away from home, just not this far,” says Chaudhary. “Coming here, it was definitely a culture shock. There were a bunch of people who didn’t look like me navigating through this space and education system that I really knew nothing about.”
Chaudhary says he could have let the newness of it get the best of him, but he instead focused on why he was at Wabash in the first place.
“I worked too hard to get here to just give up when things got hard,” says Chaudhary, who is one of the oldest members of his class, arriving when he was 21. “Whenever I needed help, I wasn’t afraid to admit it. I didn’t shy away from asking questions. I did a lot of that my freshman year.”
That stood out to Chris Anderson, Wabash Democracy and Public Discourse (WDPD) director and visiting instructor of rhetoric, who first met Chaudhary in his public speaking course.
“Sarvik is a presence in any classroom he enters,” says Anderson. “He came in with this level of maturity and seriousness that was unlike many other freshmen—I think some of that was an attribute of his age, but also his commitment to his education. He always understood the assignment and wasn’t afraid to jump in and get the conversation rolling.”
Anderson also observed Chaudhary’s uncanny ability to connect with his peers on a personal level.
“He’s incredibly friendly with everyone. I refuse to meet with him in the library because there will be a string of interruptions, hand waves, and nods to dozens of guys as they walk in,” Anderson says with a laugh. “He has built a reputation for connecting with folks, for being open about his experiences, for celebrating everyone else’s success, and for being a wonderful presence on campus.”
Chaudhary worked for Violet Benge, campus events coordinator and administrative assistant for the Stephenson Institute for Classical Liberalism, as a student assistant. Benge, whom he calls his “part-time boss, part-time counselor, and full-time Wabash mom,” has always been impressed by the enthusiasm and charisma he has put into everything he does.
“He’s a visionary. He wants to be involved,” says Benge. “He came here from halfway across the world for the opportunities, and hasn’t missed out on a single one of them.”
Chaudhary has filled his resume with a long list of accolades in his first three years at Wabash.
He is a PPE major and business minor, is a member of the Sphinx Club and Sons of Wabash. In addition, he is a resident advisor (RA), acted in Wabash Theater’s production of “The Amateurs.” He served as the International Students Association vice president, Student Senate class representative and secretary, news editor of The Bachelor, and WDPD fellow. He also spent a semester studying abroad in Paris.
“During those two gap years, all I did was read, work, read, work, and apply to colleges,” says Chaudhary. “When I got to Wabash, it felt like a totally new territory, and while that was intimidating at first, it was also exciting. I could fill the blank pages and do whatever I wanted, and I wanted to do it all.”
Chaudhary credits his major and involvement with WDPD for helping him get one step closer to figuring out what he would like to pursue after graduation.
“I feel like PPE gives you a holistic understanding of what you need to make decisions in life, no matter what you do or what your title may be,” he says. “If you’re politically and ethically aware and have a basic understanding of how the financial systems work, you can make the best decisions for your business.
“WDPD has taught me how to work with people,” says Chaudhary, who has hosted numerous deliberations and programs within the Crawfordsville community as a WDPD fellow.
“(For example,) we’ve talked to high school and middle school students about a wide range of topics from mental health to substance abuse,” he explains. “I’ve learned how to talk to people from different backgrounds with different perspectives in a way that I can relate to them and ultimately help to educate or provide support. I find that kind of work really rewarding.”
With one year left at Wabash, Chaudhary says his focus now is on the job market.
He hopes to connect with more alumni and leaders within marketing, business, and nonprofit work—areas where he can picture himself growing and making the biggest difference.
His goal is to work in the U.S. for a few years and then take all he’s learned back home.
“I came here for more than just myself,” says Chaudhary. “My goal has always been to grow as a person so that I can give my best back to my family and my country.”