Name: Abhishek Malakar
Hometown: Mumbai, India
Program: MS in Computer Science
Please briefly introduce yourself, what’s your background, where are you from? What are you studying at BU GRS?
Hi, I am Abhishek Malakar. I am originally from Kolkata but lived the majority of my life in Mumbai, India. After completing my undergraduate studies in Electronics and Communications from the Manipal Institute of Technology, I worked at Standard Chartered GBS, in Bangalore, India, as a software developer for more than a year. Currently, I am pursuing my master’s in Computer Science at Boston University GRS.
Why did you choose to come to BU for your graduate degree?
Even before I started applying, my goal was to attend a university that had a strong computer science program, but was also a pioneer in other fields such as law, the arts, and medicine. With its amazing faculty and research opportunities, not just in the sciences but in other programs as well, Boston University stood out as a really great opportunity for me to fulfill my dreams. The other thing that spoke to me was the beautiful scenery captured in most photos and videos of the gardens and lawns in Boston. I always dreamed of studying at a university in the States which was surrounded by the best visuals of Fall.
What are your favorite spots on the BU campus?
My favorite spot is BU Beach, and specifically, it is the Esplanade walkway next to Charles River. I was always enamored by bodies of water as they gave me a sense of how beautiful the world is and how quiet our whole surroundings can be. Sitting at the dock next to the Charles River and just gazing at the water takes all my worries away. Another one of my favorite places is the BUild Labs, situated right next to the Mechanical Engineering department. They are always hosting innovative and informative talks on entrepreneurship and other topics. I spend a lot of my time working in one of their available rooms and occasionally discussing ideas and projects with my friends.
What is your favorite part about attending BU and studying in the USA?
Coming from India, the system of learning at BU is very different from what I was accustomed to. Professors and teaching assistants host office hours which makes it very convenient for me to visit and discuss my doubts and questions with them. It makes learning a lot easier as they take their personal time to explain difficult concepts and also provide research suggestions.
How is life in Boston?
Initially, I was a little conflicted about leaving my hometown and the comfort of living with friends and family to move to a different country for my studies. Surprisingly, as soon as I landed in Boston, I was met with the welcoming attitude of the people here when a stranger helped me with my luggage at the airport when they noticed how heavy the cases looked. Boston really lives up to its name of being one of the best cities in the U.S., and it is the people who live here that make it so. Being someone who loves walking around the city, Boston Public Transportation is really helpful for me. Somedays I like to walk around the city and take buses or the subway to check out areas like Seaport, Fenway park, Public Garden, etc. Needless to say, I have met some of the best people while just exploring the city.
What do you hope to do after you graduate?
It has always been my dream to work at one of the Silicon Valley companies. Additionally, I wish to explore more places in the States and learn more about the work culture here. I believe that technology should not be limited to a few domains but should be applied to its full potential in a variety of fields. I eventually wish to return to India and use the experience that I gained at BU to help reimagine the application of computer technology. I hope that someday I can give back to the university and make meaningful contributions to the community.