Name: Krishna Pilani | Institution: Indiana University | Course: Undergraduate Business Administration and Management | Location: Bloomington, Indiana, USA
Key Highlights
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Campus Choice: Krishna picked IU for its academic flexibility, serene limestone campus, and family connection through her sister.
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Student Life: She embraces IU’s independence, has joined clubs like cycling and photography, and enjoys Bloomington’s welcoming vibe.
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Personal Growth: She credits IU’s freedom and challenges for helping her build confidence and independence.
When Krishna Pilani decided to study abroad, she set her sights on Indiana University (IU) Bloomington. Her elder sister had studied there earlier, giving Krishna a sense of familiarity with the campus and its community. “The faculty and infrastructure are excellent, as with most large universities,” she shares with Global Indian. “The US offers the freedom and flexibility to learn at your own pace, which is why I chose it over the UK, where academics can be more rigid,” says Krishna who pursued a pre-business course at IU before enrolling in the undergraduate business administration and management program.
Exploring business studies
Krishna Pilani is enrolled in undergraduate studies in Business Administration and Management at Indiana University Bloomington, offered through the renowned Kelley School of Business. In this program, she hopes to explore different aspects of business. Kelley is known for initiatives such as Bloomington Brands, a unique work-study partnership with the Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, and the Global Business Institute, run in collaboration with Coca-Cola across the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia.
A serene, historic campus
Spread across 1,933 acres, IU’s campus charmed Krishna with its abundant green spaces and historic limestone buildings dating back to the late 19th century. A stream known as the “Campus River” flows through its center, adding to the picturesque setting. “The atmosphere is incredibly serene,” she notes. The university also offers practical amenities: a campus bus system with free routes for students and staff, and free access to Bloomington transit buses, making it easy to explore the city.
Support from home
Krishna credits her parents, Uday and Roopal, for encouraging her to pursue education abroad. “I was hesitant about the US, but they assured me it would be instrumental for my growth,” she says.
Her first day on campus was eye-opening. “The kind of college life you see in Western media is both extremely accurate and completely inaccurate,” she quips. While the social scene and campus energy felt familiar, many everyday details like academic rigor and cultural nuances were far more nuanced than portrayed on screen.
Embracing freedom and growth
For Krishna, university life is about challenging assumptions and stepping outside her comfort zone. “I love the freedom and privacy IU provides. Students are treated like adults and given autonomy to make their own choices,” she reflects. “This freedom can be messy, but it’s vital for growth and for becoming an independent adult.”
She adds that social habits differ greatly across cultures, forcing students to re-examine their own perspectives. “It fundamentally changes your approach to people, hard work, and even yourself,” she says.
Life at IU
Settling in was easy. “Never have I seen a place more hospitable,” Krishna says. “The sheer variety of choices makes it exciting to explore and take your time to settle.” She even bought a cycle to make commuting around the sprawling campus easier.
Bloomington itself is lively. Ranked fifth best city for educated millennials by Business Insider and sixth best college town to live in by College Ranker, it offers countless daily events. The IU Auditorium hosts Broadway shows, concerts, comedians, and classical performances. “Many of the events now are part of ‘Welcome Week,’ which helps freshmen familiarise themselves with campus life,” Krishna explains.
“There’s a club for literally every interest,” Krishna laughs. “The toughest part is just working up the courage to go and say hi.” Since arriving, she has already tried cycling, football, photography, and cinema clubs.
Indiana University at a glance
IU is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and classified among “R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity.” With over 2,000 full-time faculty and 333 endowed chairs and professorships, it ranks among the top Big Ten public universities for academic excellence. The campus includes an eight-story student activities tower, a 189-room hotel, a 400-seat theatre, 50,000 square feet of meeting space, and even a bowling alley.
Looking ahead
After completing her studies, Krishna plans to join the family business, which spans palm oil plantations in West Africa, luxury hotels in the UK, and information technology ventures in the UK and India.
