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Journalism of Courage
— Rushil Chawla
I was always a tech enthusiast and initially aimed for a Computer Science degree, but I realised in Class 12 that sitting at a desk and programming for long hours doesn’t interest me much. Although I love technology, I did not envision it as something I wanted to do daily. I understood that I enjoy leading, communicating, managing, and solving problems. Running my own venture previously also sparked a strong interest in business, so I decided that a programme intersecting business and technology would be ideal for me.
This is when I decided to pursue an undergraduate course in Management and Technology. I also realised that pursuing a degree abroad would provide me right kind of exposure and expertise. With this in mind, I applied to various universities — both in India and abroad. I was fortunate to receive acceptance from some notable ones. In India, I applied to Flame University, Ashoka University, and UPES, and was accepted into Flame University with a full scholarship. Internationally, I applied primarily to some American universities such as Stanford, Columbia, UMass Amherst, Boston University, Illinois Institute of Technology, and Rutgers. I was accepted to UMass Amherst with a Chancellor’s Award, Illinois Institute of Technology, and Rutgers, all with scholarships.
However, I chose Tetr College of Business largely because of the course. Another major reason was the exposure. Learning from industry professionals, understanding different business practices across countries, and experiencing diverse cultures – it’s everything I could ask for.
My university experience in Dubai has been phenomenal. Tetr has delivered on all its promises. The campus location, in the heart of Dubai’s business district within the World Trade Centre, provides unique networking opportunities with industry giants surrounding us.
Our day starts at around 7:45 am. We have about 3-4 classes daily, each lasting 1.5 hours. Classes are hands-on, where we learn by building our own businesses, and we have dedicated periods for that. There are also masterclasses and roundtable discussions with industry professionals. Our day typically ends by 4:30 pm.
Compared to India, the education system here is quite different. In India, education often focuses on rote learning and exam scores, with limited freedom to explore diverse subjects. Tetr emphasises practical learning and allows us to customise our educational journey by choosing our own subjects.
Dubai is the place to be – a melting pot of cultures where major companies, organisations, and people from around the world come together. I still recall my first day, feeling both overwhelmed and excited. As a car enthusiast, I was thrilled to be here.
I was looking forward to meeting friends I had only spoken to online, and the adrenaline was high as I stepped into this new college environment, figuring out my roommates, setting up my room, and more. The first week was amazing, interacting with new people, sorting out food, commute, accommodation, and making connections. It was hectic with all the adjustments, but the people around me made it enjoyable.
Moving to a different country does bring challenges; for me, it was mainly food. For about a month, I was surviving on restaurant food. However, after some research, I found a good meal plan that was both tasty and affordable. I have embraced Dubai’s culture, from picking up the local English accent to visiting local spots. One memorable moment was in Old Dubai’s souk – our tour guide, who recognised we were Indians, surprised us with pakoras and samosas and paid the food from his pocket as a part of the tour. Another time, a stranger at an exhibition shared insights into Emirati culture, and his pride in it was inspiring.
After completing my degree here, I think I will return to India. The main skills I hope to develop over the next four years include becoming a better orator, listener, and problem-solver. Respecting individuals in their fields and committing to lifelong learning are also key takeaways. Additionally, I believe I will have a stronger ability to address and solve problems based on the broad experience I hope to gain.
(This letter is part of a series by The Indian Express where we bring to you the experiences of students at different foreign universities. From scholarships and loans to food and cultural experiences — students tell us how life is different in those countries and things they are learning other than academics)
