13 April 2008
A Wonderful Experience
A student from India shares his U.S. experience
Arnab Basu, Student
Home Country: India
Graduate Student In Entertainment Technology at
Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
My interaction with the U.S. Educational Foundation in India center at Bangalore was indispensable for applying to universities in the United States. They were always available for the smallest of queries that I had, and shared the most up-to-date and important information, whether it dealt with the admission process, the visa application, or related travel information. The feedback I received in preparing my personal statements was very valuable—not only in securing admissions, but also in building confidence to aim for the career goals I set for myself.
My program has given me fantastic hands-on exposure to the industry I want to get into. They had us attend conferences and panels, as well as tour development studios. The flexibility in the curriculum that allows me to choose specific courses in alignment with my interests has been very rewarding, too.
Intense and specific coursework helped me build on the foundations of my undergraduate study. My program has also opened a lot of doors in terms of setting up internships that are not only great learning opportunities, but also a foot in the door to organizations you might want to work for in the future.
To be put in an environment where a lot of my peers have already worked professionally before coming back to school has also helped me appreciate the value of having relevant work experience. Being in the middle of and working alongside so many talented individuals with varied backgrounds has given me significant exposure to new ideas and opportunities.
The work we do on live projects each semester has really equipped us with a level of confidence and preparedness to do professional quality work that demands substantial responsibility.
I've also been fortunate to have faculty that puts an enormous effort toward personally molding each student's career based on his interest and skills.
The staff at Carnegie Mellon works really hard to take care of its international student community.
Every once in a while, the university holds international food festivals. Each time, its theme is tied to a different region of the world. It is a great venue for meeting people, as well as learning about the students from these different places.
It has been a wonderful experience interacting with people from the United States. In the academic environment, specifically, I've learnt to appreciate their focus and dedication towards their professional goals. To mingle with this most diverse set of people has also been a great learning experience.
Students coming in for the first time should have an open mind and be ready from Day One to soak in all that they can. There is tremendous opportunity here, and you should be prepared for a lot of hard work and hustle.
Also, learn how to cook! It will really take you a long way in making new friends.
