Nandini Narula Bajpai, MAPSS-Psychology and EDSO

Nandini Narula Bajpai is an international student from New Delhi, India, currently pursuing the Master of Arts Program in the Social Sciences (MAPSS) with a concentration in psychology. She is also working towards the completion of the Education and Society (EDSO) certificate. “Everyone from the faculty, to staff, to students, were extremely welcoming and warm, and it is the ideal setting for someone like me who values being meticulous and detail driven, while also having fun doing it!” shares Bajpai.  

In terms of academics, Bajpai’s thesis will explore how cultural differences influence academic goal decision-making. Her thesis advisor, Dr. Alysson Light, started supporting Bajpai early by helping Bajpai in the development and ideation stages. “My brainstorming sessions with her have been nothing short of intellectually stimulating in the best way possible,” explains Bajpai. Being an EDSO student, Bajpai has an additional advisor: Professor Lisa Rosen, whom Bajpai describes as “amazing and very helpful too!”  

While still in her first quarter, Bajpai’s favorite course so far is Schooling & Social Inequality because of the extremely interactive nature of the course and the diverse backgrounds of its students. “This course has opened my eyes to different education systems across the world, with an emphasis on education in America [...] I genuinely look forward to going to class,” she remarks.  

Bajpai also notes the chances to learn outside of the classroom, particularly the Social Science Brown Bag, “This is where Psychologists from different institutions across the US come and present their research to students, faculty, and staff, and we have an opportunity to ask questions. This talk series has been instrumental in fueling the researcher in me and has provided me with something I will value for the rest of my life.”  

As an international student, Bajpai shares that moving to the US was a significant transition. Despite having completed her undergraduate studies in New York, she describes Chicago as “a completely new experience.” “Living in Chicago has been a mixture of culture-shock and cultural-integration for me; In just a short period of time, I have been able to make this place home and immerse myself in the never-ending list of events and recreational activities the city has to offer–on, and beyond campus life,” she says.   

Finally, Bajpai shares some advice for incoming students: “Immerse yourself in all that UChicago has to offer”.