This craving for relaxation might be written off as wanderlust for any other college student. But for Luthra, it is overdue recuperation for a dynamic student who not only graduated from UC-Berkeley in a little over three years but has been selected as a 2002 Rhodes Scholar.

"Winning this is really surreal," Luthra says. "I've never had anything remotely like this. Winning was euphoric—it still is euphoria. This doesn't sink in very easily."

Luthra was one of only 32 American college students selected out of thousands for the prestigious scholarship. He is the 21st winner from UC-Berkeley and appears to be the first from Saratoga High School, where he graduated as valedictorian in 1999.

Luthra was the only Californian selected to represent his district in the final stages of competition, which is rare since California has one of the largest candidate pools. California is part of the eighth district, which also includes Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.

"I am very happy that I won, but I was surprised by the lack of West Coast representation," Luthra says. "California is so strong in public and private schooling ... but overall it was a very talented pool."

Although Luthra is extremely accomplished and aware of his merits, he is surprised that he was selected for the scholarship.

"You can't apply thinking that winning will be a sure bet. You need an ego check if you do because there is no way to expect that," Luthra says. "It's a very subjective process."

Although scholars need to have excellent academic standing and a hefty amount of activities, projects and accomplishments, the basis for final selection is largely contingent on in-person interviews conducted by appointed committees.

These committees are responsible for whittling down 400 district competitors to 96 district finalists to a group of roughly 10 to 13, from which the four district winners are selected. The final decision-making process lasts just two days, with several rounds of interviews leading to selection.

"They announced the winners 24 hours after our last interviews," Luthra says. "I guess after 100 years of running this program, they have it down to an art."

Elliot Gerson, American secretary of the Rhodes Trust, says that Luthra excelled in his interviews. "He is enormously accomplished academically and shows great leadership and character," Gerson says. "It is clear he is going to make positive changes in the world." Luthra started preparing for the competition last June. After receiving the nomination endorsement from UC-Berkeley, Luthra prepared a personal statement, got his transcripts in order and attained the necessary eight letters of recommendation. "It takes a lot of time and effort to get everything together," Luthra says. "It is a very long process."

Hard work is nothing new for Luthra, however.

At Berkeley, he received degrees in both electrical engineering and computer science (EECS), as well as business administration. He received more than 14 different honor awards, launched the Berkeley EECS Research Journal and founded the Computer Literacy 4 Kids program, a nonprofit organization dedicated to instructing and providing computers and software to underprivileged kids in the Bay Area.

Luthra also performed research in artificial intelligence, analyzing complex motor learning in hopes of creating robots that walk with sensitivity to terrain and changing conditions, as humans do. He also worked on game-theoretic models, assessing Internet maneuverability and accessibility. In addition, Luthra formed a dot-com company that sold MP3 guides. Unfortunately, the company felt the full effects of the high-tech meltdown. "It was a really good learning experience, though," he says.

Luthra, who is an only child and first-generation Indian-American, lived in San Jose until his family moved to Saratoga when he was a fifth-grader. He has very fond memories of Saratoga, where his parents still live and work.

"Saratoga has been great," he says. "The community is very nice, and the people are friendly. It's hard to have a frown on your face when it's so beautiful outside."

Since winning the award, Luthra has encountered many Californians who think of Saratoga as "a retirement area for rich, older people." Luthra strongly disagrees with this assumption. "I never knew of that perception," he says. "I always thought of Saratoga as a talented community with a large young population."

Throughout the competition, Luthra encountered a great deal of surprise due to his being both from a small town and a public school.

"People always think California [Rhodes] winners are from San Francisco, Los Angeles or Sacramento," Luthra says. "They don't think you have the training because you are from a small town with a public school. They think because it is small it's rural."

Luthra is very satisfied with his experiences in Saratoga and his education at Saratoga High School.

"Some people say public schools don't take academics seriously. Saratoga takes them very seriously. They have very motivated students and very talented students in different areas," Luthra says. "It is not just a sports school, speech and debate school or academic prep. Saratoga High is excellent for any of those things."

Luthra does admit there is a great deal of pressure to perform at Saratoga High, due to the student talent and level of academic accomplishment there. However, he felt the pressure was positive. "The pressure made you not want to slack off. I always felt that I gave 100 percent, and that's as much as I could do."

That desire to do well saw Luthra through high school successfully, as he was named valedictorian and was a top-ranking state champion in speech and debate and an avid tennis player.

Saratoga High School Principal Kevin Skelly remembers Luthra vividly.

"Ankur is a remarkably poised, talented, driven, caring person," Skelly says. "Our school is full of talented kids, and he definitely stuck out. He is really smart. I'm not surprised that he won."

Although the academic life at Saratoga High was an important factor in Luthra's success, he says, his parents were ultimately the biggest influence. Luthra's father, Ravi, owns and operates a small investment firm in Saratoga, where his mother, Tripta, works as well. "My parents are extremely selfless. They are so brilliant and such great parents," he says.

As a Rhodes Scholar, Luthra will attend Oxford University in England for two years to study for a master's degree. The program, which began in 1902 after the death of Cecil Rhodes, was established to gather exceptional students from around the world in an attempt to promote "international understanding and peace." In addition to the 32 American scholars, 58 other scholars are selected throughout the world, from Canada to Africa.

All education costs are paid for each scholar during their stay, and an allowance is provided for term expenses and vacations.

As outlined in the online scholarship application, scholars are selected on several criteria: "literary and scholastic attainments, energy to use one's talents to the full, as exemplified by fondness for and success in sports, truth, courage, devotion to duty, sympathy for and protection of the weak, kindliness, unselfishness and fellowship, moral force of character and instincts to lead and to take an interest in one's fellow beings."

Luthra has 10 months to prepare himself before heading to Oxford. In addition to catching up on his travels and friendships, Luthra is busy planning out his two-year study plan. He looks forward to studying in England, as he desires "a more global education."

"I was born in San Jose, moved to Saratoga and then went to Berkeley. I want to broaden my community; I think it will be a good experience," he says.

Luthra is looking forward to studying computer science at Oxford, which has a highly regarded program. "I anticipate learning computer science over there because they teach a different aspect of the system. Here it is all the same method and theory. I want the European paradigm shift," he says.

In addition to a master's in computer science, Luthra would also like to pursue a second degree in a humanities-based subject. "I want to do something that deals with public policy," he says, adding that he is considering the possibility of a degree that links economic and social history.

Once Luthra finishes the Rhodes program, he will be 23. Although he is eager to begin his professional career, he is aware of how young he will still be. "Ideally, I want real-world experience," he says. Once he gets out there and sizes up his options, Luthra will be ready to pursue his business goals.

"Ultimately, I want to own a company, but I want to wait until I know it will be successful and can produce a product that will make a difference," he says. Luthra is also intent on integrating a humanitarian aspect to whatever business he chooses to establish.

Fortunately, the Bay Area is likely to receive the benefits of Luthra's education and expertise.

"Hands down, Northern California is my choice—I love it. There is an academic atmosphere here and a career culture that is laid back and at the same time fast-moving—but not too fast-moving, like Manhattan," he says. "I am very attached to this area—the people, the culture, the technology.

"I love California ... it's my home."

Saratoga High School graduate Ankur Luthra was the only Californian selected as a 2002 Rhodes Scholar. Luthra graduated from Saratoga High in 1999—his senior portrait is on the opposite page.