Day 158: A New Journey

Day 158: August 31, 2020
Global Cases: 25,628,921; Deaths: 854,424
Egypt Cases: 98,939 ; Deaths: 5,421

Eman Kharoshah
Editor-in-Chief, The Caravan

Here we are again, few days from the beginning of a new semester. We’ve survived COVID-19 largely intact and are heading into another virtual semester. Mostly.

It’s been a long journey and it feels so long ago that I was one of the bright-eye freshman recently featured in our diaries.

When I first joined university, I was so naive to the extent of believing everyone who said that I would change my mind about my intended major.

“Why would you want to pursue a career in journalism?”

“This job won’t bring you money,” they said.

I have been passionate about journalism and creative writing since I was 16 and that was when I started journaling in my blue glittery notebook.

My experience in journalism started when I first joined The Caravan as a freelance reporter. I remember quite well how intimidated I was by the first general meeting held by Jaidaa Taha, Editor-in-Chief at that time.

At that time, I didn’t have any background in journalistic writing, I didn’t even know what a lede was. Regardless of this, the way The Caravan’s board held the situation was incredible. Everyone contributed in my learning process from explaining what a lede is, to sharing interviewing tips.

Before my very first interview with someone from the Life Mentorship Program, I remember calling my best friend telling her how anxious I was, how fast my heart was beating and how silly I felt.

A few days ago, I was having a conversation with Dania Akkawi, former editor-in-chief, about an important interview that I was going to conduct.

“What would it take for me to stop feeling anxious before interviews?” I asked.

Her answer made me believe that it’s our job and feeling anxious before interviews has become a part of who we are. We don’t stop doing interviews, we learn how to deal with anxiety.

Two years and a half at The Caravan have taught me a lot. I learned everything inside this newsroom. Writing this right now brings me too many memories with people I met there as colleagues and ended up as my best friends. Besides making precious friendships, the guidance and mentorship I receive from the advisors mean everything to me.

Every editor-in-chief I have dealt with was my idol and they also happen to be ultimately inspiring females.

I was fascinated by the balance they maintained between friendship and leadership. Each one of them taught me something special, taught me an edge. Each one of them gifted me something no one other could’ve.

As cliche as this might sound, the responsibilities that come with this job are numerous. We have all believed in the fact that The Caravan is considered an immense part of our lives. Surprisingly, none of us are annoyed or concerned about this. It actually turned out to be the best part too, despite the measures we took being off campus and under lockdown.

But practically speaking, being the next editor-in-chief brings so much excitement. I am closer to happy than worried and to thrilled than anxious. And given that we will be largely online again, I’m not intimidated by the challenges.

My ultimate goal is to teach The Caravan’s crew everything I have been taught, and to teach everyone something special, just like all the special lessons my editors-in-chief gave me.

Shifting to online had perks but came with obstacles too. At the end of the day, dealing face-to-face is easier and simpler than conference calls and online meetings. But after a couple of months, we’ve all adopted new ways to adapt to the situation. Personally, this will make it easier for me since we will operate online during the Fall semester, which starts in a few days.

For The Caravan‘s previous diary entries in Arabic and English go to our COVID-19 Special Coverage page.

When I think about this fruitful journey and the new experiences that are yet to come, I recall all the opportunities and new chances that had come with them too.

“It is what I love and what I was made for,” I say, in an answer to those who had asked me why I would want to pursue a career in journalism.

I am aware that this career path might not bring much money, as people said, and it does not worry me. What truly concerns me is doing a job I am not passionate about or going to an office where I don’t fit solely to get my monthly payment.