Editor’s note: Bharath Muralidhar is an Indian graduate student studying Electrical Engineering. He will use this column every other week to discuss his experiences in the United States as an international student.

Two days, three airports, hours of transit, and I made my way into Raleigh on Aug. 29. My first flight into the land of the Goldenrod had been quite an eventful one, and the journey ahead looked wonderful.

Wide roads, lights hanging like lanterns over every crossing: the novelty of the drive from the RDU airport was exhilarating. Trees lined the streets like the Royal Guard, and the traffic resembled a parade on Independence Day.

“So this is America, the land of the free, the Champion of Liberty, the sight to see!” I said to myself. “The inspiration for many achievements that have shaped the modern world we have been born into, the very epitome of Western culture!” And there was the Star-Spangled Banner, aloft on a house on the right. I couldn’t resist a salute to that proud symbol of the ideals of the country I had entered just hours ago. Most of us Indians, especially those fresh out of college, have never been to a country other than ours. This is our first time, and the decision to come to America is not made in a day. It is a process that starts almost 10 months before we enter the throes of the West, it begins with a desire for educating oneself at a wonderful academy. Taking the GRE and the Test of English as a Foreign Language exams needs its own little learning period, and although most Indians who do it are not E as a Second Language students (mythbuster, this one!), it is quite an enriching experience going through word lists and having fun with words and math. Applying to universities, looking through Web sites and information for the purpose, preparing the application packet, selecting the best courier agency — the tasks are so many!

And then there’s the period of awaiting selection. And accomplishment. And jubilation. And then again, going through that agonizing time deciding the school to attend. Then come the procedures of Visa and immigration, our first liaisons with the USA.

We’ve traveled over the seas, said our goodbyes to family and loved ones (we have lived with all our lives so far). We carry memories of our country, while setting foot into another great nation. We bring love in our hearts, and greetings from India, in the quest of a satisfying education and a desire to learn.