This evening, I had the privilege of meeting a colleague and dear friend from the tinnitus community, Professor Raj Shekhawat, visiting us all the way from Australia. Raj was in Maastricht to celebrate the PhD defense of one of his students, Carlotta Micaela Jarach, marking a significant milestone in her academic journey. To celebrate, we decided to cap off the day with a delightful dinner at Dadawan, joined by a few other colleagues.
As we gathered around the table, surrounded by the warm buzz of students working and guests dining, the night turned into something truly special. Dadawan, known for its youthful team of student workers, is a place where many young people juggle earning a living with pursuing their dreams and figuring out their path in life.
During our dinner conversation, we touched on ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), reflecting on its powerful lessons. I shared with Raj one of the most important insights I've gained: life isn't about chasing goals but discovering and living by the values that resonate with you .
And then Raj, a born educator and the recipient of multiple teaching awards, naturally wove his gift for connection into the evening.
Every student who came to our table to serve us food or drinks became part of our conversation. Raj asked them a simple yet intriguing question: “What does Dadawan mean?” Surprisingly, none of them seemed to know. One young man thought it meant bowl , referring to the signature serving style of many dishes at the restaurant.
But this question was just the spark.
Soon, the conversation turned to something deeper: their dreams, their studies, and their aspirations for the future. What happened next was nothing short of magical. Through genuine compliments, thoughtful advice, and Raj's inspiring words of encouragement, these students began to light up. You could see it in their eyes—the twinkle of possibility, the belief that their future holds success, and that they are capable of achieving it.
It was a beautiful reminder of the power of words, of connection, and of believing in someone. How a simple conversation, filled with kindness and curiosity, can ignite confidence and hope.
And perhaps the most profound part of the evening was realizing what made such a connection possible: the ability to listen .
The group at the table tonight represented a truly global collection of experts from Australia, Italy, Switzerland, and the Netherlands, all brought together by our shared passion for audiology. It was a testament to how the art and science of hearing can create bridges across cultures, professions, and even generations.
How wonderful it is that through listening—truly hearing each other—we can create moments of inspiration that ripple far beyond the dinner table.
Audiology connects us, but it's the human stories and values we share that make those connections meaningful. Tonight was a celebration of that. And it was beautiful.
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