With a bachelor’s degree in computer science and a job back home in India, Nandini was content with her role and skillset – at first. But then she had a major career realization: If she wanted to push herself further in the computer science field, she needed a master’s degree, ideally from a US university.
Choosing The University of Texas at San Antonio
At first, Nandini looked primarily at fees and courses when considering where to apply to graduate school, and she was leaning toward schools in the Northeast US. Quickly, though, she realized there were other factors that were just as important to consider.
“The southern India climate is extremely warm,” she explained. “I cannot suddenly go somewhere that is too cold.” These practicalities only hit her when she was a few months away from attending college, and she ended up changing the list of top-choice schools to include The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA).
Nandini felt San Antonio’s climate was more familiar than what she’d find at schools in the Northeast US, where there would inevitably be snow and colder temperatures.
Additionally, UTSA’s ongoing growth was a big plus for Nandini: There were more courses available than other schools she considered, and a diverse curriculum that was constantly being refined and expanded — a trend she has continued to notice on campus.
She also cited the size of San Antonio. Coming from a large city, Nandini did not necessarily want to be in a huge metropolis, but still wanted access to city life. The city, with its warm climate and cultural diversity, made Nandini feel right at home.
Working with UTSA’s Supportive Professors and Staff
Nandini did not know what to expect moving to the United States, and though she believed in herself, she knew she deserved to receive the support that US universities could deliver.
The classroom experience and interactions with professors have provided the guidance she hoped to receive. Compared with her experience in India, Nandini feels there is a lot more room to ask questions and get feedback from professors.
“You never have to hold back saying something you are unsure about,” she emphasized. “If you greet professors outside the classroom, they do not give that ‘I’m a professor, you cannot reach out to me’ feel. They are very friendly. You can meet them during office hours and talk about challenges you have. They will give you more material so you can focus on it.”
She is also grateful that her professors are all open to feedback. They want to find more ways to help their students.
The coursework was extraordinary, I learned a lot because of the content. But I also learned a lot because of the way I was being taught.” – Nandini from India, MS – computer science, UTSA
“As international students, it is also important for us to look at the job situation,” she advised. San Antonio’s access to good job opportunities was a major draw for Nandini. “I did not want to struggle while living here.”
She mentions how the UTSA team was extremely supportive as she applied for scholarships and on-campus jobs. Nandini’s advice to anyone looking for an on-campus job is to search beyond your department and look on Handshake, an online platform where students can search for open jobs.
“There is always a way to find a job,” she stressed.
Her on-campus jobs as a graduate assistant and peer mentor have been a critical part of her learning experience beyond the classroom, especially in overall communication skills. Now, she has more confidence in how to talk about any topic without feeling insecure about how she is articulating the idea.
“I am growing as a person and as a computer engineer,” she said.
Finding Community on the UTSA Campus
While Nandini admits she experienced culture shock when she first arrived in the United States, finding a community of friends was essential to adjusting to student life.
She went to every event she could in her first two semesters on campus, including events around mental health, sexual awareness, cultural diversity, and more. Nandini also recommends looking at the events that specific groups host, like those from graduate-student-specific organizations and different departments.
“[UTSA] comes up with such thoughtful ways of enlightening students about everything,” she added.
Nandini laughed about some initial miscommunications. Even though she speaks English, she is more familiar with British slang, which does not always translate to American English slang. “All the students are so friendly, though,” she said, making it much easier to ask for clarification when someone speaks too quickly. “No one is going to be upset if you ask them to explain something again.”
“The question, ‘Do I know you?’ does not exist here,” she said, explaining how everyone is open to a conversation. And with everyone coming from different backgrounds, it made Nandini feel comfortable to talk to them and ask for help if she needed it. “It made me feel at home,” she said.
Tips for International Students at UTSA
Nandini can easily remember the moment she first arrived in the US and how difficult it felt to step outside her comfort zone. But nonetheless, she did – and recommended other international students do the same.
“You have to try. At the beginning you may feel hesitant, but if you give in to that hesitance, it is going to be even more difficult in the future,” she said. Eventually, this act of talking with other students and attending events will become more comfortable.
“You are the biggest supporter of yourself. Give yourself a chance to take a step,” she advised, noting that there are so many events and organizations on campus. “You may not become best friends with the people you talk to in a day, but you still talk to them. It keeps the loneliness from setting in. There are always people you can reach out to.”
Friendships help to navigate the smaller day-to-day challenges, too, like knowing what to order at a restaurant. “A lot of food has meat, so for people who do not eat meat, it is helpful to have people who know names for certain foods that are different from back home,” she said.
Similarly, figuring out public transportation was an adjustment, but it became fun (and easier) with company, said Nandini. “You are all figuring it out, but you are all figuring it out together.”
She said the people she has met are always ready to help in any situation.
It makes you feel safer knowing there are people you can go to ask about anything.” – Nandini from India, MS – computer science, UTSA
As she approaches graduation, Nandini feels that UTSA prepared her for the next step in her career. “I am ready,” she said. Nandini, who was working as a full-stack developer in India, wants to find roles in a similar field, but now also feels qualified to take on management roles.
With her guiding principle of “if you do not know something, ask someone and figure it out,” there is no doubt Nandini will figure out the next step on her career path.
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