Making the Most of your Experience at JHU, Baltimore, and the US as an Indian International Student

Making the most of your experience at JHU, Baltimore, and the US as an Indian international student

1. Understand the Academic System: Many international students are unfamiliar with the processes for course registration, academic integrity policies, and grading systems at the University. It’s important to familiarize yourself with these systems by utilizing the resources provided for international students by the University.
2. Build a Support Network: Developing a strong network of peers, both international and domestic, will enrich your experience as an international student. I strongly encourage all international students to invest time and effort into connecting with fellow students through clubs, extracurricular organizations, social events and GKII’s One Hop Mentoring Platform. The Gupta-Klinsky India Institute at Johns Hopkins is the best organization to connect with everything happening between JHU and India and to network and engage with Indian faculty, alumni, and fellow students.  Sign up for GKII’s newsletter to stay up to date with all the exciting JHU India programs and news!
3. Leverage Academic Advisors: Each school at JHU assigns an academic advisor to assist students in navigating their academic journey. From course selection to degree planning to understanding academic policies, advice from academic advisors can be invaluable for international students (it certainly was for me!).
4. Engage with Professors: Seize every opportunity to interact with your professors, both in and out of the classroom. Given their expertise in their respective fields, their insights and guidance can greatly enrich your learning journey at JHU. Most professors are happy to do 1:1 meetings as well, if their schedule permits.
5. Explore Diverse Electives: The American education system offers the opportunity to take elective courses that are unrelated to your degree. I urge all international students to challenge themselves by enrolling in courses outside their comfort zone. You may discover new academic interests and expand your knowledge base.
6. Start your job search on Day 1: Securing employment as an international student requires proactive networking and relationship-building with prospective employers. Start exploring job and internship opportunities as early as possible in your academic journey.
7. Participate in Class: Some international students feel hesitant to engage in classroom discussions due to the unfamiliar environment. Try to overcome the reticence and participate in class activities, ask questions, and contribute to discussions. It will foster your professional development and enhance your learning experience.
8. Explore the US: Exploring the Smithsonian Museums and visiting the Yellowstone National Park are among my fondest memories. The semester zooms by, so remember to set aside time to explore and experience the cultural richness of the DC-Baltimore region and other parts of the US (cultural attractions, historical landmarks, and diverse culinary scene).
9. Take full advantage of the University facilities: JHU provides students with state-of-the-art amenities, such as its magnificent libraries, best-in-class sports and recreation centers, and the upcoming Hopkins Student Center (opening next year). Make sure to fully utilize these amazing facilities.
10. Take pride in your accomplishments: Amidst the daily demands and pressures of academic life, it’s easy to overlook the fact that you’ve earned a place at one of the world’s top universities. The coursework will undoubtedly present challenges, so whenever you feel disheartened, remind yourself of what you have achieved.

PS: make sure that you attend all orientation sessions specifically designed for international students

Questions from prospective students about JHU and Carey

Considering that the Carey Business School is relatively new in comparison to established business schools like NYU, Kellogg, and Booth, how does it measure up?
While Carey Business School is relatively new compared to some other business schools, it inherits the quality and prestige of Johns Hopkins University. The education offered at Carey is top-notch, reflective of the high standards expected from a leading institution like JHU. Moreover, Carey’s location adjacent to the national capital provides a strategic advantage, attracting the best professors and students, further enriching the academic experience and professional prospects.

Does Carey offer a pathway for pursuing a PhD after completing my MS degree?
While Carey Business School does not currently offer a PhD program in management disciplines, the MS programs serve as excellent preparation for students aspiring to pursue a PhD at other universities following completion of their MS degree. Additionally, the esteemed reputation of the Carey name and the exceptional quality of professors provide an added advantage for PhD aspirants graduating from Carey.

I’ve heard that in most MS programs at Carey (MS Finance, MS Marketing etc.), the class composition is majority South and East Asian (India, China, Korea etc.). Is this true, and does this prevent me from getting a proper “American experience”?
At Carey, your class will comprise a diverse mix of individuals from all around the world. One of Carey’s notable strengths is its focus on preparing students to thrive in a multicultural and multinational environment. Many Carey alumni have stated that the opportunity to broaden their horizons and interact with some of the brightest minds from across the globe was the highlight of their degree.

Does the school/university provide in any sort of support in helping us get hired?
Carey Business School, along with Johns Hopkins University, has an outstanding career resources department dedicated to assisting students in achieving success in the job market. The department works closely with students to help them in securing internships during the degree program and accessing full-time employment opportunities upon graduation.

What are the employment prospects like for international students?
It is true that securing fulltime job opportunities could be a little harder for international students than it is for domestic students. That said, a considerable number of international students at Carey have successfully secured excellent positions with notable companies in the US, thanks in part to the strong reputation of the Carey brand.

What is student life like in Baltimore?
Baltimore provides students with a multicultural, multiracial, and sometimes multilingual environment. It serves as an ideal location for inquisitive minds keen on exploring diverse cuisines, architectural marvels, and vibrant art scenes. Additionally, its close proximity to Washington DC offers students access to world-class museums and iconic national landmarks and monuments.

About Anirudh Ojha

MS Data Analytics and Policy, Johns Hopkins University;
MS Marketing, Carey Business School, Johns Hopkins University;
BSc. Business Administration, The State University of New York at Buffalo
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anirudh-ojha/

Anirudh is a data professional with a foundation in Management Consulting and Research. He is currently a Data Science Domain Manager at Coursera. He is passionate about the field of data science and is deeply interested in exploring how the AI revolution is transforming business, government, and society.

Prior to joining Coursera, Anirudh was a Research Associate with the Centre for Data Science and Social Impact (CDSSI), a research institution backed by Citibank. Here, he worked with social purpose organizations, supporting them in leveraging data science in their initiatives.

Earlier, Anirudh was an Assistant Manager with the Infrastructure, Government, and Healthcare (IGH) Advisory practice at KPMG India. In this role, he worked on assignments involving the delivery of Research and Analytics for a bilateral development bank, Strategy Development for a mining corporation, and Program Management for a public-private partnership.

Additionally, Anirudh is actively engaged in various volunteering activities. For example, Anirudh has volunteered with the United Nations Volunteers Programme, where he contributed to the development of a mobile app for UNICEF aimed at understanding the mental health needs of young people in South Asia. Apart from his professional and academic pursuits, Anirudh has a keen interest in reading books on economics, history, and philosophy.