At first, they seemed distant. Formal. Just voices at the front of the room attached to slides and endless readings. You sat in the middle row, nodded when they looked your way, and left right after class. But one day, you stayed behind — maybe to ask a question or clarify a concept. And that’s when it shifted. The lecturer smiled, asked about your goals, even shared their own struggles from when they were a student. Over time, that relationship became more than academic — it became a bridge to internships, references, or just someone who believed in your ability when you doubted it most. They weren’t just teachers. They were human too.

At first, they seemed distant. Formal. Just voices at the front of the room attached to slides and endless readings. You sat in the middle row, nodded when they looked your way, and left right after class. But one day, you stayed behind — maybe to ask a question or clarify a concept. And that’s when it shifted. The lecturer smiled, asked about your goals, even shared their own struggles from when they were a student. Over time, that relationship became more than academic — it became a bridge to internships, references, or just someone who believed in your ability when you doubted it most. They weren’t just teachers. They were human too.