CFA: Did resources at CFA or BU help you prepare to succeed in this fellowship with the City of Boston?

Roshan: I was fortunate to be able to study abroad in Singapore last spring, which was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I didn’t really realize how far behind we are when it comes to transit and environmentalism until I went there. My voice teacher, Dr. Lynn Eustis, has been so supportive of me as a singer, a professional, and a person, and taking voice lessons with her this summer really kept me sane throughout my projects.

CFA: In what ways do you think this experience has helped you prepare for work beyond BU?

Roshan: I felt that this fellowship was particularly challenging because our projects had to balance the needs of several groups of people with completely different visions for what the city–or even just their local parking lots–should look like. I’m studying International Relations, and we often talk a lot about balancing the needs of various actors on a global or at least transnational scale, so you’d think that it would be easier to deal with these issues when it’s confined to a radius of one square mile. In fact, it demands just as much experience with “people skills” if not more. I gained a lot of experience in trying to find the most efficient or direct way of communicating with people, something that I feel that international organizations rarely have the capacity to do.

CFA: What did you learn about yourself?

Roshan: I think that as a Dual Degree student, I often place a lot of pressure on myself to be perfect, to do everything perfectly, and to get everything done. The reality of local government is that sometimes that just doesn’t happen, and projects can take on a life of their own. I had to kind of compartmentalize the projects outside of my own identity, which allowed me to create some sense of work-life balance that I don’t think I was able to do before.

CFA: Any advice for current CFA-ers looking to start applying to internships, fellowships, and such?

Roshan: You don’t have to do a dual degree, but I feel like it’s always worth it to cultivate skills outside of music because you never know where they’ll take you! The music world (especially in Boston) sometimes gives us tunnel vision and we only meet people that we already know. This job was fantastic because I got to meet so many people that I never would have if I was a musician alone.

CFA: Roshan, what’s next for you?

Roshan: Another semester on the daily grind; I’m hoping to get involved in research in some way this fall.