'The first few months were very different': An Indian student shares the reality of studying at an Ivy League university
Studying abroad is a dream cherished by many Indian students. It promises a passport to new opportunities, experiences, and top-tier education. Yet, the reality of stepping into a foreign university, especially an Ivy League institution, can be jarring. Beyond the prestige and global exposure lies a whole new world of cultural shifts, academic rigour, and financial demands that often come as a surprise to even the most prepared students.
Harshvardhan Maskara, an Indian undergraduate studying at Cornell University , shares the unvarnished truth about navigating life, academics, and finances in one of the world’s most competitive academic environments.
Planning early and choosing wisely
“I started my plan to study abroad when I was in grade 11 in Doon School in India,” Maskara recalls. From the beginning, he was deliberate about his choices. He worked closely with his school career counsellor to evaluate options across the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and India. While some students focus on safety, Maskara kept it pretty simple. “If I am going and spending so much then it has to be reasonable.” He also expanded his list to include colleges with higher acceptance rates, ensuring he had options.
Cornell was an early choice. “As a result of my commitment my chances increased dramatically,” he says. Securing a scholarship was another priority, reflecting the financial realities many international students face.
The application process was long and involved multiple components. He took the SAT during high school and submitted transcripts from grade 9 onwards. “The essay is common to all universities. The UK had the earliest deadline so I recycled information for other universities from here.” Beyond essays, letters of recommendation played a key role. Maskara initially applied for physics but later pivoted to computer science as a minor, appreciating the flexibility American colleges offer: “That’s one of the best parts of American colleges. They allow you the flexibility for switching majors at any given time. You can truly study whatever you want to.”
A cultural and academic shift
“The first few months were very different,” Maskara admits. Beyond coursework, adapting to a new culture and teaching style was challenging. At Cornell, course policies are detailed and structured like legal documents, outlining submission deadlines, penalties, and permissible choices. “Each set of classes has policies laid out. I never read them initially for my maths class. Later on, I realised they have been laid out so specifically.”
This initial confusion gradually turned into strategy. “Let’s say I have a very heavy semester with all my required technical courses so I would go to some easy option from liberal studies… And I will go through the document and see that this class looks a bit relaxed.”
Academically, the transition from high school to university was steep. “It was a pretty big change. Everything seemed much harder, the content we were studying, it was a big level up. It took some time getting used to it. There were classes I thoroughly enjoyed. If I had known how tough it can be I would have been better prepared.” His reflections underscore the resilience and adaptability required of international students, particularly those coming from different educational systems.
The cost of an Ivy League education
Studying in the United States is expensive. Maskara’s first-year expenses at Cornell were nearly USD 100,000, covering tuition, housing, food, health insurance, and travel. “Cornell costs me hundred thousand dollars (Rs. 86 lakh INR). In my freshman year it was like $85,000. It has dramatically increased. You can expect your yearly fees including tuition, housing, food, health insurance, travel etc can easily reach Rs. 85-90 lakhs per year if you are not on scholarship.”
He was fortunate to receive the TATA Scholarship, which sponsors five students each year. “I was incredibly lucky. The college decided to award me a TATA scholarship which is a huge honor.”
Financial aid is generally administered through the College Scholarship Service (CSS), which shares family financial data with universities. Many students also work part-time to cover miscellaneous expenses. Maskara worked for two to three semesters, sometimes earning $15 for six hours of work. “You can pocket about $90 per week which can help you contribute to miscellaneous expenses.”
Navigating the hidden costs
Maskara says that most expenses are transparent. “It could only be as a result of your own actions. Most of the costs are laid out flat. Whether it's tuition, housing, health insurance, food, they give you an estimate. If you follow their list of expenditures then mostly you are all set.” The lesson for international students is clear: Careful planning and attention to detail can prevent unexpected financial strain.
Planning, persistence, and perspective
Maskara’s experience explains that studying abroad is as much about personal growth as academic achievement. From navigating cultural differences to understanding detailed course policies and managing finances, the journey is rigorous. Yet, the rewards are tangible: Flexibility in academics, exposure to global perspectives, and the opportunity to earn scholarships that recognise merit.
His words remind students that while studying abroad is challenging, it is also a chance to develop resilience, adaptability, and independence. As Maskara himself says through his experience, “The first few months were very different.” But those differences shaped his ability to thrive within the challenges of an Ivy League university.
From India to Cornell: How I Navigated Essays, Scholarships & Culture Shock Abroad
Harshvardhan Maskara, an Indian undergraduate studying at Cornell University , shares the unvarnished truth about navigating life, academics, and finances in one of the world’s most competitive academic environments.
Planning early and choosing wisely
“I started my plan to study abroad when I was in grade 11 in Doon School in India,” Maskara recalls. From the beginning, he was deliberate about his choices. He worked closely with his school career counsellor to evaluate options across the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and India. While some students focus on safety, Maskara kept it pretty simple. “If I am going and spending so much then it has to be reasonable.” He also expanded his list to include colleges with higher acceptance rates, ensuring he had options.
Cornell was an early choice. “As a result of my commitment my chances increased dramatically,” he says. Securing a scholarship was another priority, reflecting the financial realities many international students face.
The application process was long and involved multiple components. He took the SAT during high school and submitted transcripts from grade 9 onwards. “The essay is common to all universities. The UK had the earliest deadline so I recycled information for other universities from here.” Beyond essays, letters of recommendation played a key role. Maskara initially applied for physics but later pivoted to computer science as a minor, appreciating the flexibility American colleges offer: “That’s one of the best parts of American colleges. They allow you the flexibility for switching majors at any given time. You can truly study whatever you want to.”
A cultural and academic shift
“The first few months were very different,” Maskara admits. Beyond coursework, adapting to a new culture and teaching style was challenging. At Cornell, course policies are detailed and structured like legal documents, outlining submission deadlines, penalties, and permissible choices. “Each set of classes has policies laid out. I never read them initially for my maths class. Later on, I realised they have been laid out so specifically.”
This initial confusion gradually turned into strategy. “Let’s say I have a very heavy semester with all my required technical courses so I would go to some easy option from liberal studies… And I will go through the document and see that this class looks a bit relaxed.”
Academically, the transition from high school to university was steep. “It was a pretty big change. Everything seemed much harder, the content we were studying, it was a big level up. It took some time getting used to it. There were classes I thoroughly enjoyed. If I had known how tough it can be I would have been better prepared.” His reflections underscore the resilience and adaptability required of international students, particularly those coming from different educational systems.
The cost of an Ivy League education
Studying in the United States is expensive. Maskara’s first-year expenses at Cornell were nearly USD 100,000, covering tuition, housing, food, health insurance, and travel. “Cornell costs me hundred thousand dollars (Rs. 86 lakh INR). In my freshman year it was like $85,000. It has dramatically increased. You can expect your yearly fees including tuition, housing, food, health insurance, travel etc can easily reach Rs. 85-90 lakhs per year if you are not on scholarship.”
He was fortunate to receive the TATA Scholarship, which sponsors five students each year. “I was incredibly lucky. The college decided to award me a TATA scholarship which is a huge honor.”
Financial aid is generally administered through the College Scholarship Service (CSS), which shares family financial data with universities. Many students also work part-time to cover miscellaneous expenses. Maskara worked for two to three semesters, sometimes earning $15 for six hours of work. “You can pocket about $90 per week which can help you contribute to miscellaneous expenses.”
Maskara says that most expenses are transparent. “It could only be as a result of your own actions. Most of the costs are laid out flat. Whether it's tuition, housing, health insurance, food, they give you an estimate. If you follow their list of expenditures then mostly you are all set.” The lesson for international students is clear: Careful planning and attention to detail can prevent unexpected financial strain.
Planning, persistence, and perspective
Maskara’s experience explains that studying abroad is as much about personal growth as academic achievement. From navigating cultural differences to understanding detailed course policies and managing finances, the journey is rigorous. Yet, the rewards are tangible: Flexibility in academics, exposure to global perspectives, and the opportunity to earn scholarships that recognise merit.
His words remind students that while studying abroad is challenging, it is also a chance to develop resilience, adaptability, and independence. As Maskara himself says through his experience, “The first few months were very different.” But those differences shaped his ability to thrive within the challenges of an Ivy League university.
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