‘It was the Immersion Day experience that set my heart on getting into Krea!’

Krea Bytes: Aishwarya on her Krea journey

For a student who always stuck to exploring interests and topics within her comfort zone, Krea was a breath of fresh air. Surrounded by subjects that slightly nudged her away from familiar territory and exposed her to a plethora of disciplines, with talented peers from hundreds of cities across India, Aishwarya’s learning journey here has been nothing short of amazing. Straight out of St Thomas Residential School in Trivandrum into the hustle and bustle of University life at Krea in Sri City, Aishwarya shares with us her journey as a Krea student right from the unique admission process to experiencing Interwoven Learning in her first-year.

How did Krea happen?

I found out about Krea from an old school friend who went through the website and thought it was something I would be interested in. This was the first time I had come across the “liberal arts” concept, and it was very foreign and abstract to me. I must admit that I did not give much time or research into understanding the courses being offered, but the promise of a unique admission process is perhaps what pushed me. I was so busy preparing for various entrance exams and attending college interviews that I almost missed the application deadline for Round 3 of admissions. In hindsight, I cannot believe that I was ever that close to missing out on studying here!

What prompted you to pursue your learning journey at Krea in the beginning? 

It was the Immersion Day experience that made me set my heart on getting into Krea. I was not nervous, intimidated, or scared at any point of the process, unlike the interviews and selection processes I had been a part of before. I wanted my undergraduate experience to be stress-free, especially after the hectic schedule I had put myself through in school, and the very welcoming and friendly environment during the KIC made me realise Krea was the right place for me. 

Entering Krea right after school, how different was the experience?

In school, I was the kind of student who never stepped out of my comfort zone and I always stuck to rote learning and memorising concepts even if I did not fully understand them. I have always wanted to change this habit of mine, and the learning process at Krea has helped me learn, un-learn and re-learn several things. Initially, I was apprehensive about doing Mathematical Reasoning, Scientific Reasoning and Introduction to Topics in Computer Science in the first year, because I shied away from these subjects in high school. The course faculty helped me revisit concepts I had previously learned in school, and I developed the skills to approach problems differently. 

To sum it up, although learning in Krea is not always a cake walk, it is extremely rewarding and I always gain something new at the end of the day. 

What about Krea has changed you or given you a new perspective?

I would say that the people in Krea are what make the institution what it is today, and I have never before met such a diverse, motivated, and caring group of people in my life. I owe the kind of exposure I have received over the past two years to the professors, the staff, as well as my peers, and I know it would not be the same elsewhere.

How has Interwoven Learning (IWL) helped you discover or enhance your interests?

I always knew that college would be a formative experience, but Krea has turned my life topsy-turvy, in a good way! I ran for the position of Finance and Resources Representative in my first year and was fortunate to be a part of the first student government. This is something I would never have done before! I pushed myself to try new things, meet new people, and make the most of my newfound independence. 

I have to admit that the foundation courses in the first year, although they did open up a plethora of options, ended up making me a little more confused because my interests have always been all over the place. I always knew on some level that I wanted to pursue a major in Economics, and the Interwoven Learning aspect helped me figure out my other interests, and how I could pair them best with Economics. 

What are your future plans?

I don’t have solid plans yet– I am considering a Master’s in Public Policy or an MBA, but I’m keeping my options fairly open and I’m hoping to get a better idea once I’ve started my third year at Krea. Working with students has always been my passion, and I hope to build a career in the education field someday.

If you could share something with aspiring Krea students, what would it be?

I think the one thing that sets Krea apart from other universities is the fact that there is room for all kinds of people with diverse interests- and you will always find a space or group where you would fit in and be able to pursue your interests. Apart from the wonderful experiences (both academic and otherwise) I have had so far, I am most happy about the fact that I found wonderful friends here.

Aishwarya Sivaramakrishnan

Currently majoring in Economics and taking courses in Business Studies and Psychology in the School of Interwoven Arts and Sciences at Krea University.