Student Stories

First Month in USA – Exciting and Fascinating

Muthu sent his first month experience in USA. Previously he had posted his F1 Visa Interview Experience at Chennai.

Running a Family

It’s been a month since I landed in this challenging country and this period has been the most exciting and fascinating moments of my life. Back in India I never used to bother about my amenities because it was all provided to me by my parents readily but here I had to setup my apartment, buy groceries for my daily needs, cook for ourselves, pay electricity bill… and what not !!!…. ‘It’s like running a family here’. My roommates are so supportive and I’m enjoying here.

Classes and Assignments

The classes started few weeks back and they are loading us with  assignments. Though the assignments are hard they still are very interesting to do. Even the classes are very interesting. I think the age of blackboards is over and its place has been taken by Huge LCD  screens and tablet pc. Even the lectures are recorded and uploaded in the university’s server so that they are available to the students 24X7. I never thought technology can be used to such an extent.

In-State Fees

The main purpose of this mail is to inform you that I have got a good project under a professor and he has agreed to waive my out state tuition fee for this semester and provide RA/TA from next semester. My professor said that he cannot give RA in this semester because I’m from a different grading background and he has to see my performance in this grading system to come to a conclusion. I’m pretty confident I can prove that I’m a deserving candidate and I’m happy I got an out state waiver.

How to get Funding

I have been observing some of my batch mates here who are trying to get funding. The common mistake that I believe they are doing is giving first preference to funding than to good research projects.  Moreover some of the students are meeting all the professors in the department requesting for funding.

I don’t think meeting all the professors and requesting for funding is a good idea. The first question my batch mates ask when they meet a professor is – ‘do u have any funded positions available under you?’…

The moment the professors hear this they come to a conclusion that the student is looking for funding and is not interested in their projects. So they close their doors saying there is no position available and the student is left wondering why he didn’t get funding. The main point is that funding is a consequence of a good project but many students do not realize this and waste their opportunities.

By the way the THINKPAD is awesome. I have already tested it’s rigidity by dropping it down (off course unknowingly…). It’s the toughest lappy I have ever come across. Thanks very much for the suggestion.

Related : American Lifestyle in 1500 Words

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9 Comments

  1. You are right, if you are a bachelor it is like running a family here. But if you are married then it is better here. You pay all ur bills using ur online bank account. Get groceries from stores will be like going out in your car and enjoying the big stores here. You can return if you don't like something. You can get quality products in the clearance. You can plan a long trip, just see that your car is in good condition to drive for long. Get a lot of things in your apartment if you spend only one month of your salary. But back in India it is a struggle to raise a family.

  2. hi everyone…its really a good way to share your experiences here as many can really get benefitted from the knowledge given here in the blog.the work is really appreciable..hey can anyone tell me about the health informatics course in george brown school.

  3. i think we should thank HSB for this coz it HSB who gave us tips about How to email a professor and What to write in it and not to mention about funding as a first preference else the professors will be annoyed. and not to forget also about the Laptop. 🙂

    1. you are right anubandh … We need to thank HSB for helping young ppl achieve their dream …without any expectation. As beneficiaries of this wonderful blog we should also support his cause … and contribute in best way we can …

      muthu

  4. @Congratulation Muthu

    for proving your true caliber, and you are rightly rewarded , once again congratulation
    you deserve it Muthu
    warm greetings

    easwaran

    1. winners don't do different things they do things differently !!!!!!

      congratulations mannu

      keep posting your experiences .. thanks !!

  5. muthu you have shown your leadership quality. a leader always thinks way ahead. that is what u have done. congrats and keep it up.

  6. hey…i have completed B.Tech Biotechnology and i have applied for sweden for the spring intake…but i heard the intake is very limited and only Umea university and Stockholm university offer courses. i need some information on the biological sciences department of these universities and is it advisable to pursue ma research der???

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