Every individual has some dreams and expectations for their future, and the path to achieving them mostly involves pursuing higher education in the form of some degree from among the choices of institutes available.

For me, pursuing a master’s degree itself was a dream come true. It was only when I started attending graduate school that I realized the similarities and differences between what I was expecting and what I really got.

To speak the truth, because of what I had heard from my predecessors who pursued graduate study from the States, I was expecting a dull, monotonous life. Maybe with a lot of learning, but trite nevertheless. Thankfully, what I found here was positively different and surprising.

Our university and the city itself revealed its beauty to me over time. To anyone with a sense of natural beauty, Raleigh has a lot to offer. The vast expanse of the university is itself pretty beautiful, offering many breathtaking sights. Such a presence of nature is very rejuvenating after a tiring day of work. Since I love being in a green and natural environment, it would not be wrong to say that I am blessed to be here.

Academically, the university is very potent. The cutting-edge research going on in the university is incredible. It is ranked third in North America in terms of increasing research publications. The diverse peer group sustained by the university is also commendable and provides an individual with ample opportunities to learn about different cultures and approaches. For instance, I have learned a lot of different things about people with different nationalities in the period of the past few months. It is indeed an enriching experience. The interaction with different cultures tends to help an individual evolve.

The location of our university is also helpful for students. The presence of the Research Triangle Park complements the conducive atmosphere offered by the university. With exposure to industry easily available, a student can start preparing for their career early on and can reap the benefits later.

Raleigh has another advantage: It has been classified as one of the best cities to live in in America by The News & Observer.

Another aspect which is extremely important to me is the extracurricular opportunities available to students in the university. Here again our university has been quite satisfactory (I am writing for Technician after all). Be it in sports or arts, there are opportunities galore for every student, and it is only a matter of how much incentive an individual is willing to take. Writing has always been my passion, and I am thankful for this outlet that I have received for my creativity. And it is available for every kind of student. Be it a sport aficionado or a melodious soul, if you are at NC State there will be no dearth of opportunities.

However, there are issues of concern. For a passionate student, sometimes there is a lack of courses which can aid them in converting their career to passion. Some courses are offered alternative years and due to the breadth and depth constraints, an individual can miss those.

Moreover, sometimes the research funding may pose an obstacle for students and the budding researcher may have to be content either only by taking courses, or by pursuing research without remuneration.

Graduate life at NC State has taught me a lot about myself and how to interact and deal with different types of people. The research and practical approach used here is much better than what is prevalent in my home country. The grad life has proven to be one of the most exciting parts of my life and an amazing learning experience. Overall, the positives about NC State outweigh the negatives and that makes life here much more enjoyable.