Finding Freedom Far From Home
By Isabelle Loginovs | November 3, 2026
Vishruti Vijai shares the challenges, cultural experiences and independence that comes with studying abroad.
Moving thousands of miles away from home is never easy, but for Vishruti Vijai, it was an opportunity for growth, independence and new experiences. Now a junior studying business economics at the University at Albany, Vijai has spent the past few years navigating challenges and opportunities of life as an international student.
Originally born in Coimbatore, India, Vijai grew up in Bangalore, where she spent most of her life. After attending Stonehill International School, she began exploring opportunities to study abroad.
Studying in the United States was appealing to her because of the opportunities it could provide, particularly in her desired career field of private equity.
“I wanted to study in the U.S. because there are much more opportunities that I can get from here,” Vijai said. “I feel like coming all the way here and experiencing all of those things differently would make a bigger difference and impact in my life.”
Before arriving in Albany, Vijai spent a year studying at the University of Exeter in England. Although she enjoyed her experience in the United Kingdom, she ultimately decided to continue her education in the United States. UAlbany offered an opportunity to pursue her academic goals while remaining financially affordable compared to other universities.
However, Albany came with its own challenges.
Vijai said she did not know anyone when she first arrived on campus. Having traveled from India, she experienced an immediate culture shock and struggled with feeling like an outsider in an unfamiliar environment.
“It took me like a month or two to actually adjust to the new environment,” Vijai said.
One source of comfort was her freshman roommate who was from Nepal. Although they had never met before college, sharing a South Asian background gave Vijai someone to relate to during the unfamiliar transition.
Adjusting to American college life also meant discovering cultural differences she had not anticipated. From Greek life to students attending class in pajamas, Vijai noticed the differences between college experiences in the United States and the United Kingdom.
Even everyday language sometimes created confusion.
During her freshman year, she once told her roommate that she needed to visit a “petrol bunk,” a term commonly used in India for a gas station. Her roommate was confused until Vijai explained what she meant.
Despite these misunderstandings, Vijai said her international school background and previous experience in England helped her adapt to communicating with people from different cultures.
At home, she primarily speaks English but also knows Kannada. Growing up in a multilingual environment helped her prepare for the diversity she would encounter in the United States.
That diversity has also allowed her to experience cultures beyond her own. During her sophomore year, Vijai lived with roommates from Dominican and Guatemalan backgrounds. Through those friendships, she was introduced to new music, food and cultural dances.
They even spent time dancing together in their dorms.
“It was actually pretty fun,” Vijai said.
While these experiences have helped her build connections, living far from home has not always been easy. Even after four years away, Vijai said homesickness remains one of the most difficult parts of studying abroad.
She misses her family, her boyfriend and her dog, along with the comfort of home cooked meals.
“Even though this is my fourth year away from home, it doesn’t get any easier,” Vijai said. “You’re always going to be homesick.”
She also pointed out the financial differences between living in India and the United States, particularly when it comes to food. Indian meals that cost only a dollar or two back home can cost significantly more in the United States.
Beyond homesickness, Vijai said international students face challenges that many students may not consider.
For example, she has experienced difficulties using her Indian driver’s license as identification when trying to enter bars despite it being a valid license. She explained that some establishments did not accept it, leaving her with the expectation of carrying her passport instead.
For international students, this creates a concern of keeping an important travel document safe while going out.
Transportation is another obstacle. Vijai said international students may face additional requirements when trying to obtain an American driver's license, making it difficult to drive or rent a car. Without personal transportation, students must depend on public buses, taxis or friends who have cars.
She also recalled feeling particularly unsafe during periods of increased immigration enforcement and uncertainty surrounding international students' status in the United States.
These experiences have made her realize that studying abroad involves more than adapting to a new classroom. It also requires navigating systems and everyday responsibilities that domestic students may take for granted.
Despite these challenges, Vijai said the experience has given her something she values deeply, independence.
For her, one of the greatest benefits of studying in the United States has been the independence that comes with living away from her parents.
Back home, she said, her parents were more involved in her daily decisions, including when she went out and when she returned home. Living in Albany has given her more control over her schedule and the freedom to make decisions for herself.
“I feel like it's very liberating because I'm away and I'm in control of all of my decisions,” Vijai said.
That freedom has also allowed her to explore new places, attend concerts and experience opportunities that might be less accessible to her in India. From traveling to New York City to seeing her favorite musical artists perform, she has been able to take advantage of experiences that make her time in the United States meaningful.
Vijai’s journey has not been without homesickness or obstacles, but the experience has helped her grow beyond the classroom. Through new friendships, cultural experiences and the freedom to make her own decisions, she has discovered that studying abroad is just as much about finding herself as it is about finding opportunities.
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