Nushla Pradhan | Student

Experiencing it All

I was interested in natural sciences and social sciences, and I wanted a good blend of different classes. I always knew I wanted to go to a liberal arts college, so that was my sole focus in the application process. A senior from a nearby high school had gone to DePauw. He was actually a famous singer back home. That was how I first learned about DePauw. Even though he was here during COVID-19, it seemed like he was having a good experience. I added DePauw to my list. 

Did you get a chance to visit? 

I did not. I arrived on campus with two suitcases, and that was the first time I saw DePauw in person. Before that, I researched the website and followed the DePauw Instagram page to get a sense of student life. When I researched DePauw, I saw that students were ambitious and deeply involved. That’s how I was in high school, so that environment appealed to me. As soon as I got here, any nerves I had disappeared quickly as I connected with my international ambassadors and got involved in orientation. 

What have you studied at DePauw? 

My initial academic interest was psychology, but I wanted to explore and take a lot of different classes. I enrolled in anthropology, international politics and a class on the French Revolution – a lot of variety. Second semester, I shifted to STEM courses and challenged myself by taking computer science, a male-dominated field I hadn’t tried before. 

And what happened? 

I loved that first computer science class with professor Khadija Stewart. I appreciated how the class offered different ways to learn and the ability to work in teams. I found it very rewarding and declared it my major. I found a peer group in Women in Computer Science, which inspired me further. Through my professors and my network, I found research opportunities in computer science and did an internship in Washington D.C. I’ve also attended two conferences in New York City.

What does your senior year look like? 

In fall 2025, I’m going to Oxford to study abroad. Friends of mine have gone through the program and had excellent experiences. I always knew I wanted to study abroad, and Oxford’s independent study approach – with regular discussions and writing assignments – really excites me. When I come back to DePauw, I’ll just have my senior seminar left.

DePauw has been wonderful – people look out for each other, and it’s always been easy to make connections and to find mentors. There’s a strong sense of community here. I’ll miss it.

Major: Computer Science
Hometown: Kathmandu, Nepal
Class: 2026
Activities: DePauw International Student Association, Science Research Fellow, DePauw Women in Computer Science, Study abroad at Oxford University, Resident Assistant and Mental Health Peer Educator
Favorite spot in Greencastle: Taco Wapo!