This land of freedom!

  Another week in America comes to an end! Well as of now its fun fun and more fun. American college life is something to be experienced!

  Monday started with me trying to figure out what courses to pick. The whole week was pretty much me figuring out what courses to pick. There are so many good ones out here that you need to decide on what is it that you like and what is it that will most likely get you a job when you get out of college. I picked one on medical device innovation which is all about getting a product out, one on statistics and one on neurobio. Well so much of the boring stuff. This took me many mails to professors, discussions with seniors and one on ones with my adviser.

  Then the weekend and the friday nights are where all the action is. Friday night we went to the martini bar on Chappel Hill. Which is about 20 min drive from duke. Over there is a street called the Franklin street lined with many bars and restaurants where they serve all kinds of food and drinks. The best thing I liked about Franklin street was that it is very colourful. All kinds of people line the streets and as can be imagined is basically a young college crowd. Oh yeah and most of them are swaying.

 Yesterday night was one fantastic night. More on American college life. Inside campus right behind the chapel there was this cool BBQ party. On the house! It all started with a live concert to which you can sway and dance. Simultaneously karaoke and poker was going on right there. A theater show was happening which is basically impromptu comedy. Something like the show “whose line is it anyway”.  By the way you can buy beer in campus at the restaurants. And if the cops come just turn around in a particular way with the beer mugs and they dont see you. All from a couple of American experts. After running from one place to the other till 12 in the night the real party began.

  That was again in campus. A foam disc. Trendy music and lots of soap foam generated by a huge machine. Everyone ones drenched and dancing. Good fun. Oh yeah and that was when I had the weirdest conversation with this girl who wanted to get in. As I was leaving the place all drenched, she asks me: “how is it inside.. do I have to take my shirt off to get in?” Well I thought of what answer to give for a moment: and of course gave the most obvious answer possible.

 So much for that. Work hard during the week and party on weekends! Good stuff! Will keep you posted on more crazy stuff.

Duke perspective

  It hits with majestic force when you are suddenly in the company of people who have done some amazing stuff in their lives. I don’t know if its the aura of a great institution or downright Chinese attitude that does the talking when I finished my lunch meeting with my new friend. We were discussing how we can develop an idea that could transform the world. So my friend asks me “what does India need?”. Well we were suddenly discussing in all seriousness solutions to some of the trickiest problems that India and China face.

  We thought about the ramifications of poverty coupled with population and how it affects medical care. How we need to develop processes and products that has speed as the major concern. We were in-fact addressing world problems. Now I feel that I have started thinking big for a change.

  We went on later to meet an IBMer who has come to duke to do his management in engineering. The discusion now revolved around Pakistan, China and India. The strategies and practices adopted in companies in these places were compared.

   I then go back home to spend time with my cardiologist roommate. There again the discussion is centered around Indra Nooyi and how everyone should aim at somewhere right  beside the stars.

  So much for the day, as I am about to get into the habit of reading plenty of news and current affairs.

Duke Experiences

  Well here goes. It’s been 4 days since I landed in America. Specifically North Carolina and Duke University to be exact. If I don’t write down all the experiences here I am pretty sure I will forget most of them and the novelty will wane.

  Last Tuesday, i.e. the 15th of August, I landed on Newark, New York. Contrary to expectations the authorities were very courteous and I got thru without too much of a hassle. That’s where I spent my first few dollars getting a chicken Teriyaki. That decision seemed to be the most important one in my life at the moment. I spent 60 min. And I am not kidding when I say 1 hour in front of that place wondering if I should spend so much money buying it. After all I will get some food on the plane and maybe I can wait for that. Well I did spend the 5$ and enjoyed a large plate of chicken teriyaki.
 
  Tuesday night I reached the RDU or the Raleigh Durham airport where my friend picked me up in his Audi and took me to his place. One of my bags didn’t arrive and that caused a bit of a delay at the airport when we had to put in the complaint. Infact that story is also rather interesting. I could see, as I was seated right next to the wings, as they were loading the bags into the plane at the New York airport. To my dismay and frustration I could see them leaving my bag behind. I saw it being left behind!!! Since I was in the aircraft I thought it wasn’t a good idea to go up to the cabin and ask the guy about to start the plane to go after my bag.
 
  On Wednesday I got the first dose of jet lag. Woke up at 3 30 in the morning wondering what the heck is wrong with me. Went back to sleep and woke up nice and late. My friend and I then went to a nice place for lunch. I came back home and again went to sleep. That’s what jet lag is all about… sleeping at odd hours. In the night we went to this Indian place and I had this deep craving for Idly. I got two of them for 5$.!!! We used to get them for like 6 Rs back home. 50 times more expensive over here. That was the end of my idly days.
 
  Thursday again I woke up at 5 in the morning, having adjusted a little bit more. Then decided to go for a jog around the county. There is a beautiful lake just next my house with a scenic jogging trail around. After that we were to have our orientation at Duke. That was when I fell in love with the place and was in total awe of this university. There I saw majestic buildings, huge campus roads, well maintained lawns, eateries, people from all over the world, computers every where to log into the duke online system, water fountains inside the halls from where you have to drink water, and everything else a huge university is all about. It had the atmosphere of a great academic institution and one that at the same time emphasized all round development. Duke according to many is not like a typical American institution. The reason is that they have added an english touch to Duke. The buildings are built with exposed brick and stone. Thick and heavy wooden doors lead into exquisite hallways. Each building is decorated in its own special way.
 
  After the orientation we were taken on a tour of the campus. Where I saw first had students lying down in shorts and reading by the side of a tree or loitering around a fountain emphasizing a casual yet academic atmosphere. This is something that I found non existent in any of my previous institutions in India.
 
  That night we were all invited to go for an informal restaurant hop and pub crawl. This was planned by the senior graduate students. The idea is to give the new students a chance to meet each other and get acquainted with the restaurants and pubs around Durham.
 
  Friday I met my program director who gave me new confidence in the program that i have chosen. She told me that I can tailor my course in any way I want and finally end up with masters that is totally in my own liking. This too is something that I have always wanted to do. Tailor my course and pick and choose my subjects.
 
  Getting from one place to another on Friday for various things such as getting my duke Id card, opening a bank account, meeting others took me along an all new walk around duke. I was again fascinated by the beautiful campus. And the way it is maintained. The historic brick buildings are quite a sight.
 
  This was also the day I made my first dollar. Actually I made 4$. While I was walking around campus I saw this sign that said participate for a 20 min research and make 4$. I am not the one who is going to turn down free money. Over there all we had to do was answer a few questions regarding how we act under certain circumstances and what kind of a person we are. As simple as that. And at the end of the session he hands me 4$. Easiest money I have ever made. Unbelievable? Believe it!
 
  Friday night we again went restaurant hopping. I really found this to be a fun session. Teaching a Mexican bad words in Hindi. Watching a Russian girl do her traditional dance. Shooting pool with a fellow graduate American student. Discussing about Tao with a Chinese guy. Meeting this Japanese guy called “You”. Hanging out and talking about crazy stuff among Australians, Africans, Asians, Europeans and Americans all at the same time is one hell of an activity. It doesn’t get more diverse than this!!!!
 
  Saturday, i.e. today, was also pretty cool. Ze first day that I drove a car in the US. I drove my friend’s car, an Audi, all the way to a beach in Wellmington from Durham. That’s about 500 Km and 5 hours as total driving time!! Unheard off and impossible in India. Oh yeah and after the beach we went to this sushi bar, where I had sushi for the first time in my life. That too was quite an experience!! Sushi and Sakhi. Man didn’t know raw fish could taste so good. And that rice wine is one heck of a wine!
 
  Done with all the catching up? More later as the day and night progresses.

Planning Ahead

  Today I learnt the significance of planning ahead. A week ahead in my case for my US trip. Under my mothers initiative I packed my bags, finished my documents and visits about a week in advance. I couldn’t figure out the significance of doing so until two days back when suddenly a had a pain in my tooth and had to get my wisdom tooth extracted. That led to complications with excessive bleeding and today they figured out that further procedure and surgery was needed. Finally today I am all sewed up and the stitches are supposed to come ahead of time on Sunday afternoon. That’s about 12 hours before my plane leaves. Fantastic timing if you ask me. Cutting it fine when you least expect it. I have been advised bed rest for the next three days.

  That puts me out of all the other work that I would have to do had I left it for the last week. So again to all those guys who are planning on a long trip abroad finish your work at least a week in advance; you never know what’s going to happen on the last week.
 
 Get a travel insurance. For about 1000 bucks you can get insured for a month. ICICI does that. It’s a pretty interesting insurance that covers even your bail in case you get arrested!! The only downside of this insurance is their dental coverage, which is only 250$ and 100$ comes as the deductibles. So as far as dental coverage is concerned this in insufficient. And get your teeth checked over here well in advance and resolve all potential problems. Dental care is expensive in US. Believe me its expensive. It works out cheaper to plan a trip home, et the care and fly back. Still you end up saving money!!!

  Pack your bag a week in advance and keep extra space. The last minute always extra stuff come in. Don’t keep all your medicines in one bag. Separate it into your check in and carry on luggage. Carry multiple copies of contact numbers.

  Get your travelers checks and currency well in advance. What if you find a strike or a Bandh, if you leave it to the last day.

   Well these are some of the things I thought of recently.

Traveling to US for Masters

   Next Monday I’ll be off to Duke and the following are the considerations and understandings I have had over the week and expect for the next week.

1. Insurance.

Q. Should I take the Duke insurance or should I take one from India?

A. I have to take the one offered by the university as it is compulsory.

Q. Should I take travel insurance?

A. I decide not to since I don’t expect any major mishaps. FYI travel insurance covers medical problems, theft of luggage, problems arising out of misplaced passport/ documents, missed flights delayed flights, loss of luggage and so on.

       The airline can be held responsible for delayed luggage and you should do the following to minimize the risk.

       Preserve the slip indicating the number and code of the luggage checked in. It is your only proof that you have checked in luggage.

       Carry all your important documents in your hand luggage. Keep some clothes in your hand luggage.
        If you do not find your luggage at the destination along with you inform the airline immediately and ask for compensation. Generally the airline will pay you per day for delayed luggage!

2. Fees

    I was paranoid for most of the last week as I had not paid the university anything, I haven’t registered for courses and I haven’t paid for my accommodation. When I inquired I found that the general practice is that universities generate bills after a certain period into the course. You are expected to pay for the course then.

Q. How do I pay for the course and other fees?

A. On arrival at the university the first thing I have to do is open a bank account. Then I will wire transfer the money into the account from India.

Q. When should I pay my fees?

A. A good practice is to delay the payment of the fees as much as possible. By doing so, you open up possibilities of finding last minute aid. And since you have not availed the loan, you will not have to pay the interest on the loan. This saves a substantial amount.

3. Medicines

   In America it is not possible to buy medicines off the counter. You need to have a prescription and that too from a specific source. To avoid incurring this cost carry all the medicines you need for at least a year with you. Customs will find no fault with this. Figure out your common ailments and allergies and carry medicines for that. It is a highly
specialized list that you need to prepare by yourself.

4. POE

  The port of entry is where you enter the United States for the first time. This is where you expect all your clearance. Be sure to have your Visa, passport and I20 with you. You will also need to have your address where you will be staying with you. Also expect to be questioned a few questions regarding how you are planning to fund your studies.