Archive by Author

What makes studying at United World College a wonderful experience

15 Dec

I had never even changed school before. All my life I had studied at one place. So, it was difficult leaving DPS Ruby Park: friends, memories, even teachers and the school itself. It was not just about school though. I was leaving my city, where I had lived all my life; I was leaving my […]

Word Nerd: 5 kinds of mercury

12 Dec

What an amazing planet we live on! Right now, the Australian bureau of meterology is reporting that it’s pretty hot (highs in the mid-30s Celsius, which is mid-90s Fahrenheit) in Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney. Meanwhile, in Canada’s Alberta province, where it’s -17°C (2°F) and snowing, local news media are informing the public on what to […]

Word Nerd: 5 expressions for the December holiday season

5 Dec

December is here, and that means holiday season in many parts of the world. Sure, everyone is familiar with the more common holiday traditions, like Santa Claus and decorated trees. But if it’s your first December as an international student, you’re probably on a learning curve. Let us help you out! 1. Snow Day This […]

Do you suffer from academic anxiety? Then this hilarious video is for you!

2 Dec

The good folks at Arizona State University understand that college students suffer from anxiety due to a number of reasons. That’s why they made this, uh, totally scientific and informative video. Millions of students experience stress, sleep deprivation, academic status report denial, and a host of other symptoms. If you have any of those symptoms, […]

5 thoughts that cross every student’s mind in the final year of college

1 Dec

It feels as if 3 years of college whizzed past in the blink of an eye. The final year is something of a summation of one’s entire college journey. Some have life all figured out, while others are still clueless about where they’re headed. Whatever emotional roller coaster you’re on, these 5 thoughts definitely cross […]

Word Nerd: Quirky Phrases from British and American English

28 Nov

“I love Americans, but not when they try to talk French. What a blessing it is that they never try to talk English.” Saki, The Chronicles of Clovis In an earlier Word Nerd, we’ve discussed how accents divide us even when we speak a common language. Today, we want to talk about how idioms and […]

5 ‘facts’ about engineering students

25 Nov

When it comes to STEM fields, many people rely on stereotypes that don’t always match up to the reality. We take a look at 5 ‘facts’ about engineering students, and see whether they are true or false. 1. They’re nearly all men Not quite all. The number of women enrolled in engineering colleges has doubled […]

Why Are Indian Students in Pursuit of a Western Education?

22 Nov

Being one of the growing number of CBSE students opting to go abroad for higher studies, I have been questioned on the same often. Questions like ‘Why abroad?’, ‘What is so different there?’, and ‘Is it not a wasteful expense?’ are staple in such conversations. The answer, however, is not something everyone can easily understand. […]

Word Nerd: Do All Words Attract Opposites?

21 Nov

Maybe you’ve been chided for being disheveled, but have you ever been complimented for being ‘shevelled’ or ‘hevelled’? And there must’ve been times when you were dismayed, but were you ever just ‘mayed’? Chances are, you’ve answered no to both questions. It’s because English, like life, is not made of binaries. Not every word has […]

Word Nerd: ‘Black money’ and other currency-related Indianisms

14 Nov

Since the Indian government scrapped Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes – amounting to some 86% of the country’s cash – on November 8, at just four hours’ notice, everyone in the country seems to have money on the brain. Here are some money-related words that any English-speaking Indian will understand without any trouble. But […]