A Zoom Postcard Story: Aradhya Agrawal, Sunbeam School & Hostel Varuna, India

Aradhya Agrawal, Vice Head Boy at Sunbeam School & Hostel Varuna in India approached Round Square to share his experience, he reflected on the impact that attending RS Zoom Postcards has had on him and why he now speaks up.

“Sitting in a Round Square Zoom Postcard with students from across the world, I almost didn’t speak.

For the first few minutes, I chose to listen rather than contribute. It wasn’t about language or knowledge. It was uncertainty. I found myself questioning whether my perspective would add value in such a diverse space, and whether I truly belonged in that conversation at all. That hesitation stayed with me.

The session was hosted by The Affiliated High School of Peking University’s Dalton Academy in China. The theme was From Plate to Place: Food as Identity. What I expected to be a simple discussion quickly became something more layered. After a brief introduction, we were divided into breakout rooms. Students began sharing dishes from their countries, not just describing them, but explaining what they represented: family traditions, cultural identity, and personal memories. The conversation moved naturally for others, while I quietly listened and tried to absorb everything around me.

Some of the dishes being discussed were unfamiliar to me, and initially that made me hesitant to contribute. But as I listened more carefully, I began noticing similarities beneath the differences. Different cultures, but similar emotions. That realisation gave me clarity: I did not need the most unique perspective in the room, I simply needed to engage honestly. So I spoke.

What followed was not automatic agreement, but dialogue. Others responded, built on the idea, and added their own perspectives. In that moment, I moved from observing the conversation to becoming a part of it. That experience changed how I approached every Round Square session that followed. I realised that confidence does not come before participation but develops through it.

Over time, my involvement in Zoom Postcards and RS Study Labs became more intentional. I started contributing earlier in discussions, listening more actively, and engaging more openly with perspectives that challenged my own. Through these experiences, the Round Square IDEALS became something I experienced directly rather than understood only in theory.

As Vice Head Boy at Sunbeam School Varuna, I wanted more students to experience this same shift. However, encouraging participation was not immediate.

Initially, only a small group of students showed interest in joining online sessions. Many students were unsure about interacting with an international audience. Some worried that their communication skills were not strong enough, while others assumed the sessions would feel formal or intimidating. Simply asking students to participate did not work.

What made a difference was making the experience feel relatable rather than promotional. I began sharing my own experiences after attending sessions, not just the topics discussed, but what the discussions actually felt like, how welcoming the environment was, and how much one could gain simply by listening and engaging. These conversations happened informally with friends, classmates, juniors, and fellow council members, and gradually students became more curious and open towards participating.

As I continued attending sessions consistently, participation within the school gradually increased. Students who were initially hesitant started signing up. One moment that stood out to me was when a student shared after attending their first Zoom Postcard that it was the first time they had interacted with peers from different countries. It reminded me that confidence often begins when someone sees possibility through another person’s experience.

The confidence I gained gradually began appearing in other aspects of school life. As Vice Head Boy, I became more comfortable representing student perspectives, addressing gatherings, interacting with guests and teachers, and handling responsibilities that required communication and composure. I became more confident not only in expressing my ideas, but also in listening carefully to others before responding.

Earlier, I associated leadership mainly with responsibility and representation. Now, I see it more as creating clarity and comfort for others to step forward confidently. Leadership, for me, became less about position and more about enabling participation.

Because of these experiences, I now feel a responsibility to continue creating awareness about global platforms like Round Square within my school community. I want students to see these opportunities not as intimidating international spaces, but as environments where growth begins through conversation, curiosity, and participation.

Four steps for making the most of your first Zoom Postcard

• Step forward before you feel fully ready
  Growth rarely begins with complete confidence. It begins when you choose to participate anyway, even when you feel unsure.
• Listen as carefully as you speak
  Good conversations are built on attention, curiosity, and respect for different perspectives. Listening closely often teaches you just as much as contributing.
• Contribute, even if your point feels small
  You do not need to say something perfect. Confidence develops through participation, and small contributions are often the start of bigger conversations.
• Do not compare yourself to others
  Many students enter these spaces feeling uncertain or unfamiliar with the topic. Focus on learning and engaging rather than measuring yourself against others.

Round Square Zoom Postcards take place weekly throughout the year and offer students the chance to connect, listen, and contribute to conversations with peers from around the world. Students can sign up via the Round Square website using the calendar in the logged‑in section, or by following the opportunities shared each week in RS Weekly.