UKZN Undergraduate Student in US on Exchange Programme

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Second year Bachelor of Arts student on UKZN’s Pietermaritzburg campus, Ms Upasna Maharaj, is at the Michigan State University (MSU) in the United States for an exchange semester.

MSU boasts of being one of the highest ranked research universities in America and which offers a rich cultural experience.

Maharaj is thrilled about the opportunity to experience new people, new cultures and experience first-hand the standards of tertiary education in America. She believes this exchange will instil in her ‘a new way of learning and interacting with people’.

A top achiever at UKZN in her first year of study, Maharaj was alerted about her eligibility for the student exchange programme earlier this year.

MSU was Maharaj’s preferred choice as it offers the courses she is keen to take. Maharaj will complement her BA Visual Arts degree with modules in print making, painting, drawing, art history and film.

Maharaj’s passion for the arts also created in her a determination to experience America’s rich culture of artistic heritage. ‘They have some of the most prestigious art museums there,’ she said.

‘My parents are very excited and proud of me which I find both comforting and encouraging’ said Maharaj.

Her advice to her fellow students is to work hard and be positive. ‘Keep working hard and put your all into everything that you do. A positive mind-set is also very important,’ she said.