He is pursuing Computer Science Engineering as his major. Therefore, he had to complete prerequisites such as Chemistry and Physics. However, he had to take more high-level Math along with extra engineering classes for his degree. This made the journey more challenging. However, in the end, this is what he wanted to do. He worked only for 10 hours per week in order to make sure that he did not compromise on his education. He was allowed to work for 20 hours per week. However, he did not want to push himself that much.
This article covers the experience of Milan Ramdhari who is currently studying at Virginia Tech. He grew up in Jodhpur and studied in the same school till Class 11. His father is an autorickshaw driver and his mother is a part-time tailor. He was not sure about completing his higher studies till Class 10 due to his financial condition. Above all, studying abroad seemed an impossible dream. Currently, he is majoring in Computer Science Engineering at Virginia Tech.
In Class 12, he shifted to Jaipur. The Sitare Foundation approached him for studying in the United States on the basis of his school performance. He had to start from scratch, starting from learning about SAT, TOEFL and everything. This journey was surely challenging. However, he was able to go through all the steps with the support of Athena Education.
Computer Science Engineering as a newfound love
His family encouraged him to opt for Commerce in Class 11 and to take up Chartered Accountancy. However, when he explored further, he found the field of engineering to be a safer option. He was given three options in Class 11 which included Computer Science, Physical Education, and one more.
Therefore, he chose Computer Science as his stream. He started liking the subject eventually and it became his new-found love soon enough. Later, he started reading about the success stories of their old students and their management. He derived his inspiration from their success stories of pursuing Computer Science Engineering from abroad.
Moving to America – Job Opportunities, Culture and Peers
He found out that the United States provides better job opportunities than any other country while researching his study-abroad destination. This was especially true in the field of computer science. Moreover, the United States is well-known for its top-ranked renowned universities that have updated curricula and better facilities.
He was determined to apply to engineering schools irrespective of wherever he went. Moreover, one of his top choices was Virginia Tech. At quite an earlier stage, he applied for the engineering program at Virginia Tech. Before New Year, i.e., in Mid-December, he got into Virginia Tech New Year. It was nearly 4-5 months before his Class 12 exams.
He received help from his sponsors and also his university when he landed in the United States. He shares the dorm allotted to him by the university with a non-Indian student. However, the culture of America was a bit of a shock and a surprise for him. In America, being a vegetarian does not mean that they do not consume eggs, and he found it a big surprise. Therefore, he had to clarify first that he is a “vegetarian who doesn’t eat eggs” wherever he goes to eat.
He was initially hesitant even when it came to making friends. He found it difficult to understand accents, be it other foreign students and even the locals. However, he picked up slowly and steadily. However, he just ended up nodding in agreement even if he was unable to catch the conversation. This is funny. However, it shows a good learning curve.
He was given the option to choose his own community when he applied to the dorm. Such communities included an ‘engineering community’, ‘English major community’, etc. However, he chose the ‘first generation community’. The First Generation Community was for the students who are the first ones to come to a college from their families. Due to this fact, most of his friends are not from India. Therefore, he gets to mingle with people from different ethnicities. However, he knows some Indians here. Still, his interaction with them is limited.
The part about grocery shopping is one of the major culture shocks that he received. We are used to buying one can of soft drinks or half a litre of milk in India. However, in the United States, only bulk buying is allowed. Another thing is that he needs to take a bus and travel some way in order to reach these stores as it is far from his campus. Therefore, he found it important to plan in advance.
Balancing Two Wheels – Studies and part-time job
He is pursuing Computer Science Engineering as his major. Therefore, he had to complete prerequisites such as Chemistry and Physics. However, he had to take more high-level Math along with extra engineering classes for his degree. This made the journey more challenging. However, in the end, this is what he wanted to do. He worked only for 10 hours per week in order to make sure that he did not compromise on his education. He was allowed to work for 20 hours per week. However, he did not want to push himself that much.
He is working at a dining service as a front desk help. As a part of his work, whenever a customer comes, he simply has to sit at a computer and input data. For instance, he has to put in their ID in order to ensure that they know what services they took among others. However, it is not a hard job.
A welcoming move towards research work under the US education system
Compared to what he is experiencing in the United States, the education system in India is completely different. Research-oriented education is offered as a part of the American education system. The student will be given some research work, something to write, etc., irrespective of what course they opt for (English, engineering, etc).
He feels that the Indian Education System or the CBSE did not prepare him well enough for that. However, he was trained well in the technical aspects such as hard mathematics which include calculus, etc., by the Central Board of Secondary Education. CBSE was much ahead of what students from America know in that part. However, CBSE lacks in the part of writing, interacting and other soft skills. Above all, CBSE also lacks behind in terms of research work.
Key Details about Virginia Tech
The Main campus of Virginia Tech is located in Blacksburg, Virginia. It comprises Nine colleges and graduate schools. It offers 110 undergraduate degree programs along with 170 masters and doctoral degree programs. Virginia Tech hosts nearly 37,000 students on and off the main campus. The student-faculty ratio at Virginia Tech is 14:1.
The main campus includes 216 buildings which are 2,600 acres and comprise an airport. Various facilities are offered across the state and around the globe. In the United States, the University is ranked 48th in university research. The university is also located adjacent to the corporate research centre.
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