Amandeep Khurana, from Thapar Institute of Technology, is part of the fresh crop of grad students to join the Department of Computer Science at University of California, Santa Cruz. In this short but sweet interview - Amandeep gives us a glimpse on how he is adjusting to life away from home, and trying to adjust in with the new settings. Many times when you are unfamiliar with the new environment, the grad student community which is living there already - often pitches in with a great deal of support. Here is Amandeep talking about his initial few days as a grad student in the US:

1. Which program did you get into here in the US and when did you arrive?
Aman: Masters of Science in Computer Science. I came to the US on 5th Sept 08.

2. Where did you go to college in India?
Aman: Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology, Patiala

3. After arriving who picked you up at the airport and where did you go from the airport?
Aman: A volunteer from an International Student Association picked me up and I stayed with some Indian graduate students’ place for the first
few days.

4. Why did you arrive days in advance of your session?
Aman: Primarily to familiarize myself with the place, find a house to live, and try and find some part time job to support myself.

5. How are you managing your finances and housing?
Aman: I had saved up for the fees of the first quarter from my job. I will be working part time on campus to pay for my living.

6. What is the food situation like at your university? How are you managing it?
Aman: The university offers dining plans. But since I am staying off campus, they arent so easily accessible. So, mostly I try to cook at home or eat out on occasions here and there.

7. What are your next few short term goals?
Aman: The first goal in mind is to get involved in an interesting project and also figure out some way of funding my education here. Beyond that, it is too early to talk about.