I did my schooling in Hyderabad and in class 11 got enrolled in a rigorous IIT-JEE coaching programme. Unfortunately, at that time, there wasn’t enough exposure to alternative career options; it was either engineering or medicine, especially in Hyderabad, which is notorious for producing top ranks in IIT examinations. Engineering was considered the “safer” choice, and after two years of a traumatising experience, I was unable to clear the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE).
This impacted my confidence and self-esteem. Although, I had managed to get into decent engineering colleges, including private institutions like BITS and some state engineering colleges, however, as the results were being released, my family and I began exploring other options. My father was aware of the prestigious St Stephen’s College in Delhi University. So, I applied to it, was called for an interview, and secured the admission.
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At the time, it felt like something I had to “settle for,” a step down from what I had truly set out to achieve. It completely altered the trajectory of my life — not just in terms of my career but also in shaping who I am as a person. Moving to Delhi at 17, after living in Hyderabad all my life, and attending St Stephen’s exposed me to a whole new world.
I graduated from St Stephen’s in 2020, during the pandemic. This also gave me the time to reflect and start considering studying abroad, do some research on what and where I wanted to study, scholarships I could apply to, etc. Eventually, I pursued a one-year specialised Master’s in Sustainability and Social Innovation at HEC Paris, moving to France in August 2022.
‘Why I chose Paris, even though my sister was studying in the US’
I was quite confused when I started exploring master’s applications. HEC Paris had been on my mind even while I was at St Stephen’s because I saw many seniors and batchmates going there, and I knew it was a very prestigious institution. However, at the time, I lacked clarity on what exactly I wanted to study and didn’t have much confidence in my chances of getting in. Initially, I was considering a wide range of programmes — from sustainability to development studies and public policy — while debating whether to keep my options open. I reached out to students studying at the universities I was targeting for insights. Ultimately, though, HEC was the only school I applied to.
For me, the decision was not solely about the course or department. I wanted a programme that was more practical than theoretical, and HEC, as a business school, seemed to align with that approach. Everyone I spoke to highlighted its hands-on pedagogy, which I can now confirm after completing the course. Another key factor was the job opportunities after graduation. At that point, I was keen to work in Europe for at least a couple of years, and HEC’s strong reputation in France and Europe opens up numerous doors.
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I was also drawn to France over other European countries or the US due to the availability of scholarships and student benefits. In the end, I was also very fortunate to receive a French government scholarship that not only covered my expenses but also provided a generous stipend, allowing me to save during my studies.
The decision to study in Paris, even though my sister was studying in the US was partly influenced by the rebel in me as I wanted to explore a different path.However, for some reasons, the US never really attracted me as much as Europe did.
Every place has its own set of challenges, and Europe, especially France, is no different. However, I feel that in terms of work-life balance, the opportunity to explore hobbies, and the strong emphasis on art and culture, Europe really stands out. The social security systems here, for both students and employees, are impressive — a fact I was very conscious of even before moving here. In contrast, the US feels very much like a capitalist country, where work dominates your life, time, and mental space. The job insecurity, partly due to labor laws, is another factor that didn’t appeal to me. Europe, however, offers more stability and security from the government including health insurance, housing subsidies, and strong labour protections.
Lastly, the financial aspect played a significant role. Studying in Europe is considerably more affordable than in the US, which made it a more viable option for me. So, while the US may have been the easier choice in some ways, Europe aligned better with my values, lifestyle preferences, and financial considerations.
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Settling down in Paris
The beginning was far from easy — I felt lost, isolated, and lonely, and it took me a long time to start making friends again, invest in relationships, and truly discover what I enjoy doing. It truly felt like stepping into a whole different world – even now, India and Paris still feel worlds apart. The academic system was very different, and sometimes it felt like I was starting from scratch – trying to understand the system, the unfamiliar curriculum, and grappling with the challenges of not being educated in the western system.
On top of that, the language barrier and the difficulty of forming and maintaining friendships were big struggles, especially without family or social or financial safety nets. It was overwhelming and it was a huge shock for me socially, culturally, and academically. I even felt a little scared and undeserving of the opportunities and spaces I had, intimidated by others who seemed to navigate all the challenges so gracefully. I doubted myself and my place at the university, which really held me back from participating in both social and academic life as I should have.
Even with all of that, I met some incredibly encouraging and supportive people along the way. I remember one evening, maybe on my first or second night here, when I met a girl in the elevator. I told her I had just moved in, and I mentioned my room number. Later that night, I found food and a cute little note left in front of my door, just to make sure I had something to eat and didn’t go to bed hungry. It really touched me deeply how someone I had just met for a couple of minutes could be so thoughtful and intentional. That moment has stayed with me, reminding me how small gestures can make a huge difference to someone – like how her kindness made me feel so much better on a day when I was homesick and feeling completely lost.
In general, despite the structural challenges – language, academics, jobs, and social or familial safety nets – I’ve found that most people I’ve met here are supportive and encouraging. Even the professors and university staff are mindful of the difficulties international students face and go out of their way to support us. I also remember how, at the end of the semester, my course instructors and academic director took our cohort out for lunch. He made sure to check how many of us were staying on campus over the Christmas break and sent a follow-up email to check if everything was okay and to reassure us that they were always available.
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How HEC Paris differs from Indian institutes
Studies in HEC Paris was very busy, especially since it was a one-year course. In the beginning, I was also dealing with a lot of administrative tasks and still settling in, so time really flew by. Before I knew it, I was already searching for jobs and internships. Academically, however, I was very satisfied with the experience. The quality of teaching and professors was exceptional. The coursework was quite rigorous, but the practical nature of the curriculum made it different from what I had experienced before. In Indian universities, there’s often one end-of-semester exam where you cram the night before and somehow manage to ace it. But here, there are case studies, presentations, classroom participation, and assignments. I felt like I had to stay on top of my work throughout the year, not just before the deadlines.
The Indian education system still tends to focus heavily on grades, rote learning, and “cracking exams.” We’ve been trained this way since childhood, and everything in the classroom often becomes just a means to that end (grades, jobs, etc), rather than enjoying the process of learning itself. But here, I’ve been fortunate to meet people who are passionate, interesting, and genuinely curious to contribute to and learn from each other’s experiences. Although it remains a competitive space, much like in Indian universities, I’ve noticed that many people here want to learn for the sake of learning—not just to get a good grade or land a job, but really care about what they are doing.
Another aspect I found particularly positive was how open the administration and course directors were to receiving feedback. They were very receptive to constructive criticism and always sought ways to improve the course for us. I always felt like there was space for me to voice my concerns, which made it a very approachable environment. I was also surprised by how informal the relationship with professors was. For instance, students often addressed professors by their first names, and it was common to see them having coffee or lunch together. In India, we typically address professors as “ma’am” or “sir,” and there’s a certain level of formality and hierarchy. Here, the hierarchy is much less rigid, which made me feel more comfortable expressing any dissatisfaction with the course or curriculum and it felt really nice to have that space.
(Thisletter is part of a seriesbyThe Indian Expresswhere 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)
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