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International Student Panel Discussion at Oregon State University: It takes a village to raise a grad student!

September 15, 2025

I shared this article in my substack channel.

6 years back (September 16, 2019) I was one of the students sitting in one of the chairs inside the LaSells Stewart Center Graduate Student Orientation- still fighting jet-lag, trying to know the unknowns. Waiting for the first session to be over so that I can run to my new apartment (I called home in the new world)- where I could meet my mom and 22 months old baby who were still jet-lagged and we’re all figuring out things- the unknowns. And also there was a woman coming over to leave bed frame and mattress for “free” (Oh the perks of being in the US where you also get things for free :-) ) LaSells was hardly 10 minutes walk from my new apartment when I checked it on Google maps earlier in the morning, but I had to cross the street lights and had to figure out “Pedestrian push-buttons” still on the way. As an international, there’re so many things to figure out when you are in a new country.

One of the first session during my orientation in 2019 was featuring then International students who had it all figured out :-) (that was something I thought then) and today here I was sitting at the hot seat along with 3 other panelists to share our “figured out” stories. Let me pause for a second before I jump into the question- we all keep trying hard to figure things out and definitely since “geographically” (and figuratively) being at the same place gives you the advantage of knowing more about the place and the way it moves . The places grows into you at a point even though there’s still a lot to figure out.

There were four pre-prepared questions that Rachel Weber (From the Office of International Services, OSU) asked to us.

Introducing you the four student panelists

Kanchan Ojha: (Me :)) PhD student in Environmental Sciences, Ankit Koirala: PhD student in Forest Policy and Economics, Erick Moreno: PhD student in Civil Engineering and Geethika Koneru: PhD student in Public Health

I am summarising below the different strategies shared by all of us.

1. Beyond disciplinary expertise, what skills are important to hone during graduate school?

Communication: One of the most important things for all of us is communication. So we asked everyone to reach out to peoples- ask and be a part of the ongoing conundrum. Networking, is also more through communication but expand your networking circles, be part of clubs or chapters, enhance leadership skills. Put forth your ideas, and share, collaborate. Seek for ideas from Professors, Faculties (go to their office hours, talk), seniors, classmates and other people who are around you. Do not hesitate to reach out, everyone here wants to help you so please reach out.
“Hesitation” is the first natural reaction at times, to all that happens around but believe in yourself- you are already here, you have just crossed so many obstacles to be here and nothing can stop you. You are coming from entirely different cultural, economic and geographically salient place, so believe that nobody judges you for what you are but admire for who you are.
Accept your identity- first generation, marginalised, cis or gender diverse- however and whoever you are, you are here to thrive and bloom. Keep going!!

2. What advice can you offer about working with faculty and your major professor/advisor?

Be open to communication. Reach out to your faculties, advisors. Do not hesitate to ask anything. Attend office hours.

Ask advisors what are they looking into? what do they want from you?

You both need to be clear for expectations- sometimes as a new graduate student you might be lost what does that even mean but with regular conversation you will hopefully figure it out. Keep expressing!

3. What tips do you have for securing funding, maximizing resources, and/or stretching limited finances?

Apply to whatever is there- to your field of expertise or to what you find works for you There are resources in Library, at OSU there is Basic needs Center which help you with groceries and other bountiful resources along with letting you know where there are resources, Family Resources center for OSU Student-parents- free childcare for students for 3 hrs at OSU, child-care assistance and many more. Scholar dollars application for student scholarships, Graduate school awards different awards for graduate students from the Office of Graduate students, city bus that helps you go around the city for free, Beaver bus that moves around campus for free.

ASOSU legal services for helping with legal services- housing deputes or any such sorts, City Library which even provides you with free books and sometimes if needed free printing, and many more

4. How do you maintain a healthy sense of balance as a graduate student given your academic, research, teaching, and personal responsibilities?

It takes a village to raise a grad student (I read Rachel Kaplan mentioning using this quote for PhD students- I loved it and I remembered using it fondly)- create your village, be a part of the village and keep striving. Reach out to people and make those needed connections, lean on to each other, support each other.

Take care of your physical and mental health. Use the Dixon recreation center gym, take PAC courses, if Mental health needs a calling use CAPS services- massage chair at CAPS mindspa, 24 hr support and many more.

You faculty/advisor will be your great resource. Make sure to walk the talk for “work-life balance.” Please don’t wait until you get burnt out- take one step at a time. You don’t have to start at zero, because someone else already has done the moonwalk before you :-)

Metta!

Please reach out if you have any queries or thoughts! My email is: KanchanOjha@gmail.com