Why International STEM Students Should Consider Doing a Master’s Degree Abroad

After looking at various schools, Prishita finally decided to enrol in the Master’s in Construction Management course at NYU Tandon – a decision that would change her career for the better.

She said: “From an academic perspective, I really liked the curriculum [at Tandon]. It covered everything I wished to learn during my masters. It also gave me an opportunity to do minor courses from other NYU schools such as NYU Stern Business School, which is one of the best business schools in the world.

“The classes were very much practical. Think all the credit goes to the visiting professors, who either worked in big industry firms or had their own. Every module and every course had some really good discussions – not just about the theoretical concepts, but also about when and how those concepts are used in the industry and what problems you can face on the job. This made me feel like I was learning something useful.”

Prishita says the school managed to offer an open environment that allowed her to make the most out of living in New York City as an international student.

She said: “Something that impressed me was how welcoming the professors were to every question a student might have had. They treated students more like professionals than just students. They made sure we spoke our mind and not shied away from discussions, which was something new to me as an Indian student.

“Living in New York was also a great experience. It’s not just about what you learn from the university, but also how you learn to live in such a busy city, and NYU supported me immensely from the start. Even during the pandemic, when international students were worried about their situation, they made sure to answer all our questions and help us successfully transition online.”

After graduating from Tandon, Prishita landed a US-based Deputy Project Manager job at the global engineering firm AECOM. She says studying abroad, and especially in New York City, played an essential role in this achievement.

She said: “New York has a lot of job opportunities, and the hustle of the city really teaches one to be competitive and to just keep going. NYU had a lot of committees that organised different events, both professional and social, which gave me a chance to connect with more people.

“When I was networking with people or doing job interviews, I realised how much confidence studying at NYU had given me by pushing me to have open discussions and speak my mind with professors and fellow students. There is a diversity factor you have to deal with when you go abroad to study that teaches you how to make people listen to you in a job.”