From India To University Of Chicago: How Studying In The US Transformed My Academic & Personal Journey
· Free Press Journal
Moving from India to the United States— especially into a place like University of Chicago—forces you to grow at an accelerated pace. Before arriving, I was working as a research engineer in technology. While the work was fulfilling, I felt a steady pull towards quantitative finance and trading: a field where mathematics, statistics, and real-world markets intersect with brutal honesty. The US stood out not merely for its employment prospects but for its academic ecosystem. I wanted to study mathematics and statistics at a higher, more demanding level, and to do so in an environment that treats intellectual curiosity as a professional discipline rather than a hobby. My decision, therefore, was not purely strategic; it was philosophical.
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First impressions
From the outset, the welcome was warmer than I had expected. The one-week orientation created breathing room before the academic storm began, allowing friendships to form naturally. What struck me most was the diversity—not merely of nationalities but of thought. Conversations drifted easily from coursework to culture, from algorithms to art. Intellectual curiosity seemed to be the common currency. Many classes evolved into serious theoretical debates or explorations of research ideas. Seniors were approachable and generous with advice; some even reached out before I had formally joined. That sense of openness made the transition far less intimidating than I had imagined.
Quarter system
The quarter system is swift— relentlessly so. There is little pause between one academic sprint and the next. Weekly assignments, midterms, and projects accumulate into what feels like a continuous marathon. The first quarter, in particular, was punishing. I found myself chasing deadlines while simultaneously applying for internships. Sleep became negotiable. Yet this speed carries its own rewards. Courses compress depth into short windows of time, and some subjects are structured across two quarters to allow genuine conceptual mastery. You are forced to learn quickly, reason rigorously, and build intellectual stamina. One quiet advantage is flexibility: students can calibrate their course load according to ambition and endurance. The system does not pamper, but it does empower.
Beyond academics
One of the earliest lessons I learnt was that academic excellence alone is insufficient. In the US, relationships matter profoundly—in classrooms, in internships, and later in professional life. Team compatibility and personality often weigh as heavily as technical skill.
Emotional anchors
Homesickness is not a weakness; it is a rite of passage. Regular calls with family and friends in India kept me grounded. Yet survival abroad demands more than nostalgia. It requires the construction of a local support system. Forming study groups, sharing meals, and spending time together outside academic settings created emotional stability. When everyone around you is wrestling with similar pressures— exams, interviews, and cultural adjustment—your own struggles feel less singular. A strong support network does not remove longing, but it gives that longing a place to rest.
The art of cooking
Being a vegetarian transformed food into my first real challenge. I had never cooked before arriving, so culinary skills became a form of self-preservation. Flatmates taught me the basics, and those early disasters in the kitchen slowly evolved into routine meals. On difficult days, affordable sanctuaries such as Chipotle, Subway, and local food trucks became lifelines. Cooking, however, offered more than sustenance; it provided a small sense of control in a life otherwise governed by timetables and deadlines.
Advice
Define your goals clearly: Know what you seek before choosing a programme.
Evaluate the return on investment: Study alumni outcomes and realistic career paths.
Make an informed commitment: Time, effort, and money must align with your vision.
Commit fully: Learn deeply and build meaningful networks.
Detach from outcomes: Accept uncertainty without paralysis.
Balance ambition with acceptance: Discipline and emotional resilience together breed success.
Studying in the United States has taught me that growth is not linear. It is shaped by deadlines, conversations, homesickness, and small daily choices. The rigour sharpens the intellect; relationships sustain the spirit. Above all, the experience has confirmed what I believed before I left home: the only true limitation is the one I am willing to accept. One quote I live by is: “The only limit is the one you set for yourself. Dare to dream, work for success.”
(The author is currently in his second year pursuing an MS in Statistics at the University of Chicago)