Students from India attending NSU's College of Business and Technology

(Tahlequah, Okla.)Enrolled in courses with the College of Business and Technology, a group of students from India is spending a semester at Northeastern State University.

The students are taking classes at NSU through an arrangement with Jain University in Bengaluru, known as Bangalore in the west. They are enrolled together in supply chain management, principles of finance and management of human resources.

This is basically a study abroad opportunity for these students, said Angelika Copp of NSUs Office of International Programs, "and its the first of its kind with students exclusively from one university in India."

Jain students on campus include Bhramini Reddy, Nishit Gupta, Raj Parikh, Sandhya Kashi, Rohit Parihar, Sundeep Joijode and Harshaanth Ahuja. Three more students will arrive the last week of August.

For us, the main purpose of this trip is to gain the global exposure, Gupta said. We want to mix with other cultures. We want to meet Americans, learn who they are and let them know who we are. This is basically a chance to share our knowledge with each other.

Copp and Dr. Richard Carhart, executive director of international programs, said the business and technology faculty and administration offered indispensable help to facilitate the students enrollment and assist students with both their transition to NSU and to their classesthe first college courses they have taken outside of their home country of India. They feel that in many ways it is the NSU learning community who have made this program a reality.

The students said they tried not to come to NSU and Oklahoma with any expectations, and are impressed by what they see so far.

When we were greeted in New York City, we were shown some of NSUs buildings and the clock tower, Parikh said. We didn't know anything about the campus itself. It is huge compared to anything back home. Having a campus like this is a wonder for us.

Like several of Asias booming cities Bengaluru suffers a notorious air quality index, particularly in areas of heavy traffic congestion. Hence the students noticed an environmental asset of Oklahoma which locals may not even think about.

The air here is really fresh, Ahuja said. We noticed it the second we stepped off the plane.

While course credit and air quality supplement the semester at NSU, the contingent from India was unanimous in its appreciation for the kindness shown by the campus community and the city of Tahlequah.

Everyone here is absolutely friendly, Reddy said. They have big hearts.

The NSU students are themselves taking the initiative to interact with us, Gupta said. They are very spontaneous with their assistance and that is so pleasant for us. One student took time just to guide me through the lab. we've gone to Lake Tenkiller to go boating and take photographs. Oklahoma I am in love with it.