Name: Nisshka Jaisooria | Institution: Rutgers University | Course: Master of Public Health (Public Health Nutrition) | Location: New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
Key Highlights
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From nutrition to public health: Pursuing a Master of Public Health with a concentration in Public Health Nutrition, building on her undergraduate degree in Applied Nutrition to understand how nutrition programmes can create change at the community level.
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Learning through outreach: Taught a session for parents at a local school on diabetes, sugar and ultra-processed foods, using interactive activities to encourage healthier eating habits.
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A different classroom experience: Exploring varied teaching methods, research seminars and an assignment-focused education system, while gaining confidence in asking questions and engaging with faculty.
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Life beyond academics: Balances evening classes with gym sessions, pickleball, graduate events and outings with friends to Philadelphia and New York City. Hopes to join the salsa club or participate in a campus singing event.
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A larger ambition: Aspires to work with an established health organisation as a community health worker before starting her own nutrition initiative to make healthy eating practical and accessible, especially for families.
Nisshka Jaisooria believes that good nutrition is one of the simplest and most powerful forms of preventive care. Making nutrition accessible to everyone, not just those who can afford a dietitian, and helping people live better through food is her ultimate goal. So, when she decided to study abroad, she chose Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey, to take a step closer to fulfilling that goal.
“Rutgers stood out for three reasons — it’s a well-known research university, its campus is very diverse, and it’s just an hour from New York City,” Nisshka tells The Global Indian.
She is pursuing a two-year Master of Public Health with a concentration in Public Health Nutrition. Her undergraduate degree in Applied Nutrition had given her a foundation in the subject, and she wanted to understand how that knowledge could translate into community-level change.
“My parents wanted me to get into the best school, and Rutgers suited me best,” says Nisshka, who also applied to Penn State, Arizona State University and North Carolina State University before finalising her choice.
Her goal is to work in community health with established health organisations. “This program connects my nutrition background to the public health side — how to reach communities, design programs and create change at scale.”
Getting into Rutgers
“The application needed a resume, a statement of purpose, my IELTS score and three to four letters of recommendation, from my undergrad professors or workplace,” says Nisshka, recalling the admission process. She applied on February 2, 2025, received an interview call a month later and had her admission confirmed in May that year. She also submitted certificates from internships she had completed.
Her plans, however, had to be adjusted. “It was deferred to spring 2026 because F1 visa interviews were paused,” she says.
A winter welcome
Nisshka landed in New Jersey on January 12, 2026, in the middle of winter. Her introduction to Rutgers began with a one-day orientation for international students. “It covered how the university works, campus rules and what F1 students need to keep in mind.”
Her first day of classes, however, brought an unexpected challenge. She almost missed her first lecture. “Rutgers buses are famously crowded, it was freezing, and I had no idea how the system worked. People were very kind and helped me figure it out. I made it to my first class (Advanced Nutrition) in the nick of time.”
Learning beyond the classroom
For Nisshka, one of the most noticeable differences at Rutgers has been the teaching environment. “The faculty are kind and approachable, even with my silliest questions,” she smiles, pointing out that every professor has a different teaching style. Some use activities, others rely on lectures, while a few take classes outdoors for a walk on the grass. “That was very new to me compared to classrooms in India.”
She also finds the American education system interesting because it places greater emphasis on assignments, with examinations forming just one part of the assessment. “Students also have a friendlier relationship with professors, who are very easy to approach. It took me some time to adjust, but it’s been a great part of the experience.”
Research seminars, community outreach initiatives, graduate events and student clubs offer opportunities to learn beyond regular classes. “The school encourages you to ask questions, speak up and try new things, and that has made me more confident than I expected.”
Taking nutrition to the community
The practical exposure has been particularly meaningful for Nisshka. Along with attending research seminars where professors present their work, she has also had opportunities to engage with the local community.
As part of a project, she taught a class for parents at a local school on diabetes, sugar and ultra-processed foods. “I used interactive activities so they could see what’s really in everyday foods, and I encouraged simple, healthy eating habits for their families,” she says.
She was evaluated on how effectively she taught and engaged the parents, making the experience both challenging and rewarding. For someone who hopes to make nutrition accessible beyond the walls of a classroom, it was an opportunity to put her learning into practice.
Between classes and pickleball
With most of her classes scheduled in the evenings, Nisshka has gradually settled into a different daily rhythm. “Most of my classes this semester are at night, so I’ve become a night person,” she says.
Her mornings usually begin with cooking breakfast, followed by two to three hours of studying at a café, the library or a student lounge. Before heading to class, she either visits the gym with friends or plays pickleball. After class, she returns home for dinner and some rest.
Exploring beyond campus
There is plenty to look forward to outside academics, too. Nisshka attends graduate events on campus, including game nights, and hopes to join the salsa club or participate in a singing event this year.
She recently visited Philadelphia with friends and enjoys discovering local coffee spots. New York City, just an hour away by train, is another favourite destination. “My friends and I like finding local coffee spots, and we go to New York as often as we can, since it’s only an hour by train. There’s always something new to try there.”
A keen singer and sports enthusiast, Nisshka enjoys golf, badminton and, more recently, pickleball. She also loves singing and has completed Grade 4 in Western Vocals from Trinity College London.
Making nutrition accessible
Nisshka hopes to begin her career as a community health worker with a well-known health organisation, gaining hands-on experience in how nutrition programmes reach people on the ground.
“In the long run, I’d like to start my own nutrition initiative. That could be a practice, a community program or a brand that makes healthy eating practical and accessible, especially for families.” says the Hyderabad born youngster who completed her BSc in Applied Nutrition from St. Francis College for Women in the city.
