ÿ�մ���

Rasika Pawar, Information Systems and Technology graduate student

Her hometown:

“I’m from Belgaum, Karnataka, India, and I currently live in Fairlane Meadows — just a stone’s throw away from campus.”

Living away from family…what’s it like:

“I love it because I get to learn new things, be independent and adapt to living without the comforts I’m used to — all while trying to make my new place a home. I believe that no matter where you live, you can create your own sense of home. My decor isn’t where I want it to be yet, but I feel very comfortable here.”

Favorite thing about her apartment:

“Having good roommates. I spoke to one of my roommates before moving in; we met via mutual friends and connected instantly. But I hadn’t really met anyone until moving in. The resources provided by the university helped me find the people I eventually chose to room with. We cook together — my favorite dish to make is butter chicken — and we explore what’s around here together. I really like going to Hines Drive; the sunsets there are just magical.”

Something you would like people to know:

“A new home is exciting, but it can be a tough transition. You meet new people in a new country and start a new degree program — plus you have to rethink how you handle money, like the adaptation of the currency rates. Even when you have prepared, there is a lot to learn. But there is also a lot of support here. If you have a question, ask. I’ve learned that people want to help.”

What’s good about having a separation between campus life/home life:

“It can be very quiet. It’s nice when I need to study, but I also want to meet people. That’s why I often go to campus. Visiting the campus and the areas surrounding has given me the desired exposure that I wanted when I came here. I’ve also found a job on campus — working on campus has given me even more leverage to meet new people and develop campus connections.”

How she gets from here to there:

“There’s a campus shuttle — that solved my concerns when it came to commuting to and from campus. Even when you don’t have a car, getting around has been relatively easy because the people I’ve met here that do have a car are really helpful. The campus is comparatively smaller than other universities, which is a huge plus in building strong bonds.”

Compiled by Rudra Mehta.