1) Was this your first time to the United States?

Sahil: Yes

Sahil: I was drawn to the research that a number of professors at Nicholas School conducted. Their research interests were very close to mine. But honestly, the major factor that pushed my decision to come to the Nicholas School was the financial support I received.
Sahil: I am extremely passionate about wildlife and have always wanted to get involved with wildlife conservation. Also, I wished to do something meaningful, something that had a direct effect on people's life and their relationship with the natural environment. Environmental sciences is essentially a study of the interaction between the nature and the humans. Hence, environmental management was an obvious option.
Sahil: India is in the midst of a wave of rapid industrialization which is compounded by the ever rising population. This puts tremendous pressure on natural resources. Environment has assumed lowest priority in this race for development. Poaching, illegal deforestation and habitat degradation is rampant due to weak law enforcement. A number of different conservation strategies have been applied but most of them have been ineffective. In sum, the biggest challenge right now for India is to come up with effective frameworks such that economic growth is in harmony with habitat conservation.
Sahil: I am going to miss interacting with so many different people. Duke is such a diverse community and being here has given me an opportunity to know so many interesting people. Yeaa, I think I am going to miss this most besides just being in school. I am really excited to graduate and to experience the real world but at the same time I am a afraid to leave the protective bounds of the school/academic environment.

Cesar: All the friends I have made, but specially Dalia's enthusiasm, Joe's ironic remarks, Ian's Spanish pronunciation, Sahil's doubts about everything and Mike's mustaches.