Almost 8,000 miles from home, the mechatronics major from Butwal, Nepal, Mahesh Sharma left his family behind to pursue his lifelong goal.
“It’s always been my dream to study in America. There’s lots of opportunities in this country through education, then getting a job, and there’s also so much to explore,” Sharma said.
Yet with so many places to study mechatronics, Sharma decided that CSU Pueblo was the place for him. “I chose CSU Pueblo as they awarded a scholarship for me to study for my Master’s degree and it is quite hard to get funding for a Master’s degree. I’m very grateful for the scholarship they have given me which has allowed me to study in America,” he explains.
“I’ve always been fascinated with robots and I grew up watching the Transformers movies,” Sharma added.
Arriving in Colorado with merely a suitcase and a backpack, many would crumble at the sheer nature of change, culture shock, and challenge. However, the 25 year-old has taken it in stride and notes being very comfortable with his life away from home.
When asked about the biggest culture shock he’s faced, Sharma’s eyes lit up, “Oh man. The food and the weather. I’ve never experienced such cold weather and when I first got here in the spring of 2024, it was definitely a big shock. Our food back home is very different to the food here and I’m still trying to get used to it.
Fortunately, due to the support of the Residence Life and Housing department at CSU Pueblo, Sharma has been provided with a kitchen to cook his own meals.
“It was my choice to live in Culebra Hall when I first arrived. However, after struggling with the food served in the cafeteria, they [Residence Life and Housing] were very helpful, and luckily I was able to move into a Walking Stick apartment and I now have the ability to make my own meals,” Sharma said.
Moving in with two international Scottish students and a Colorado native, Sharma noted that he has found his home away from home.
“My roommates are pretty cool, I’ve never felt left out living with them and it’s been good for me to have them,” he said..
International students are well accommodated at CSU Pueblo with the International Programs office located in the Center in the Occhiato Student Center. Faculty aid foreign students from all backgrounds from the application process right on through to applying for jobs. During their time here, students are supported financially as CSU Pueblo offers nearly every international student some type of financial aid, be it grant monies, on-campus living assistance, on-campus employment, or various graduate assistantships and scholarships.
Despite graduating this May, Sharma’s plans remain unclear, “I’m going through the process of interviewing for jobs here in the United States. It’s very difficult at the moment to get a job here, however, if I can stay in America, I will,” Sharma explained.
