BY TILISHA T. ALEXANDER

Staff Writer

Nishanth Tiruvaipati, a graduate student of computer science from India, spends most of his time balancing work and school, not because his culture requires him to, but because it is his choice.

"It's not common for students in [India] to work and go to school," Tiruvaipati said. "I choose to work because I'm trying to become an independent individual, not because of my culture, but because I am a man."

Tiruvaipati said he never dreamed of working in a cafeteria, but just as any student, it is what he needed to do to survive.

"I've been here for seven months," Tiruvaipati said. "Before coming here from India, I had my own job. Now, I have to adapt to this culture and way of life in order to survive."

Tiruvaipati said his culture verses American culture is very different.

"From the way we cut on and off our lights, to the road systems, it is all such a different way of life," Tiruvaipati said. "Instead of turning the light switch up, we turn it down, and instead of driving on the right side, we drive on the left side."

Tiruvaipati, just as a typical American, lives life full of sacrifice for his family and his future.

"I don't know how much Americans value family, but the bond I have with my family is strong," Tiruvaipati said. "We are raised to believe that family is the ultimate backbone of everything that we do and what decisions we make."

Tiruvaipati said entertainment is important for him, but there are not a lot of fun activities to do in Ruston. However, India has plenty of activities.

"Seven is the time when [it seems] everything closes in Ruston; therefore I'm stuck trying to find something to do after that time," Tiruvaipati said. "Usually I end up playing ping pong, tennis or swimming."

Besides fun and games, Tiruvaipati said education is an important aspect of life in his country.

"We value education because it's how we support our families," Tiruvaipati said. "My education benefits my family as a whole,because I know the job that I pursue will allow money to flow so that no one in my family will struggle."

Tiruvaipati said families in India feed off of one another.

"That means what I have is what my mom and dad will have access to and my family that I plan to have of my own," Tiruvaipati said.

"Sometimes parents decide what's best for the child because they know what is best. It could be from choosing what I'm going to school to become or where I will go to school."

The hardest thing for Tiruvaipati about being away from home is missing his family and his girlfriend, but he said he will return after graduation.

"I came to Tech to further my education, and when I go back to India, what I've done here will be a milestone for my family as a whole," he said.

Just as any young man, Tiruvaipati's objective is to become independent so that one day he can raise a family and have enough love and money to support the dream that he is working to fulfill.