By Fatimata Ndiaye & Halie Best

In this week's, Where in the World is Miami Wednesday, we meet Pranshu Kumar, a senior Computer Science and Entrepreneurship double major from Mumbai, India. He chose Miami due to its focus on undergraduate teaching—and this reputation has proved more than true for Pranshu. He has built strong relationships with his professors throughout his college career, who also act as his mentors inside and outside the classroom.

In addition to his interdisciplinary education in both engineering and business, Pranshu also values the Liberal Arts-based education that has made his learning experience at Miami truly holistic. Aside from the valuable education he's received at Miami, he's had the best years of his life and has made amazing friends along the way.

How did you get to know about Miami University and what made you choose it?

I stumbled upon Miami while comparing a few schools in the midwest, and something about the campus and the posts about the professors’ focus on undergraduate teaching struck a chord with me.

What has been your most memorable experience at Miami?

Startup Weekend 2015 was a major turning point in my life. It changed my career interests and helped me discover my passion for bridging the gap between the technology and business fields. Startup Weekend directly and indirectly opened the door to so many opportunities—from taking a class at The Brandery, a startup accelerator in Cincinnati, to interning at tech-startups, and even getting to meet Apple’s co-founder Steve Wozniak in person. Not to mention, the amazing friends I’ve made through that journey! 

What has been the biggest difference between your home country and the U.S.?

I feel the biggest difference between India and the U.S. has been the dynamic between students and professors. People are much more casual about their interactions with professors in the U.S. Apart from humor in the classroom, there’s no way I could have imagined attending games and picnics with professors, or meeting over lunch or coffee! Such interactions often lead to very interesting discussions and helps you learn so much from them in addition to building a great student-mentor relationship. There’s no doubt I’ll be in touch with some of my professors from Miami for years to come!

What has been the biggest similarity between your home country and the U.S.?

Both India and the U.S. are big on celebrations. Whether it be festivals or sports victories, people express their excitement in a variety of ways. There’s also the trend of making every holiday into an extended "sale" for shopping–both online and in stores.

What organizations are you involved with on campus, and why?

I’ve been extremely involved on campus right from Freshman year, and it’s been the highlight of my time at Miami. I am the Treasurer of Igoodea Creatives, a student organization focused on entrepreneurial creativity. Igoodea has helped me realize that creativity isn’t just about art, but about thinking differently and solving problems. 

I also hold a leadership position in MU Dropouts–our skydiving club, and am part of Alpha Phi Omega, the co-ed national service fraternity. 

What does Love & Honor mean to you?

To me, Love & Honor is all about being in it together and respecting everyone’s journey. During my time at Miami, I’ve realized how supportive everyone is–from students to faculty and staff, to even the alumni. We all share the Miami spirit and want to help each other succeed.

What do you like to do for fun?

I enjoy spending time with friends the most. The adventures (both literal and figurative) I’ve had with my friends remind of the popular saying at Miami: “To think that in such a place, I led such a life.”

I also enjoy playing games, watching stand-up comedy, and reading about my topics of interest.

What is your favorite place to eat on campus?

Western Dining Commons would have to take the crown, primarily for the views of the beautiful Western Campus from its all-glass facades.

How has Miami’s focus on a Liberal Arts-based education helped you?

Taking classes outside of Engineering and Business has helped incorporate different ideas into my core work. Drawing parallels from and adapting concepts learned in other subjects has helped me make more connections to come up with different/creative ideas. At the same time, it has helped me gain exposure to new fields that I would have otherwise not considered exploring. This has truly made my learning experience at Miami a holistic one.

What advice would you give to someone who is considering pursuing their education at Miami University?

College is really what you make out of it. Seek opportunities outside of class, discover your passions, challenge yourself. Make your GPA the least impressive thing about you. Focus on what skills you bring to the table and how you portray yourself. In the workplace, those are more important than a grade. And don’t forget to make friends and have fun! Time really does fly like an arrow.

 

Catch us next week as we continue to travel around the world to feature the amazing opportunities that Miami students are taking and the experiences our alumni have had since graduating!

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