 Another Indian student in the United States has been found dead. Vivek Saini, a 25-year-old Indian student who was killed. We've been increasing of late, which is surprising. It's unfortunate. It's almost scary. Especially because I have a child. I am a mother. Every morning when I send her to school, I'm always like... Before we start, let me just say that I feel really sad to be making this video. This is not the type of content you want to be talking about. But in this channel, we bring you a real, authentic account of the US visa process of studying the US and the life in the US. So this topic had to be addressed. Seven Indian students have died in the last few months in the US. Most of them under very weird and mysterious circumstances. And this raises a lot of questions about the safety of studying and living in the US. And this is something you have to consider if you're a student or if you're a parent who's going to send their child to the US. In this video, I have with me Alina. And Alina is a current student of Purdue University. Now do keep in mind that Purdue University is the one where two Indian students have died recently. And Alina shares a very real, authentic account of the current situation in the university. Some insights on what is leading to these incidents. And most importantly, all the information that you should have about your accommodation, about people you stay with, and the safety measures that are available to you. So do make sure that you watch this video before you go to the US. And please share it with your friends and family. Hi, sure, sure. So I am Alina, Alina Daoudani. I'm a third year PhD student at Purdue in nutrition sciences. Yeah. And I don't live a very typical life year meaning like when students come from India, they usually come alone and they have their set of struggles because they are, you know, they may or may not be on stipend. They may or may not be working. They have huge student loans, et cetera. But there's a thing about a PhD in the US that it's usually fully funded. So in my case, I came here with my family, my husband and my daughter. My husband's also working. So we live in a home, we like a house. We do not live in student housing. So, yeah, it's not a very typical setup, but it's worked brilliantly for us. And I'm very grateful for the opportunity. Right. So three years in Purdue and the recent incidents that we have heard, right, which unfortunately only seems to be escalating like every week. We are three years here. Did you come across any such scenario that we are facing today? Myself personally, no. I haven't really. And honestly, like being a woman or being a hijabi, you may think that, okay, I might be judged or whatever. But personally, myself, no, I feel pretty safe here. I don't even know of anyone closely who has gone through something like this. But like you rightly mentioned, it's only been increasing of late, which is surprising. It's unfortunate. It's almost scary. So gun violence in the US, we all know you cannot really just under the man and say, no, it doesn't exist. We know it's there. And it's a reality, especially because I have a child. I am a mother. Every morning when I send her to school, I'm always like, you know, it's always difficult. I don't think I will ever come to peace with the fact that okay, it's a reality that I have to live with. But that being said, I personally haven't myself encountered anything of that sort, that's what. And I think that also has to do with the fact, you know, that the people that you surround yourself with are important. How safe you keep yourself is also important. I believe this is this is for any place, anywhere you live. If you choose to travel in dark alleys, you are putting yourself at risk. So I think making sure that as a person, you take care of yourself is important, but yeah, of late this has been much more prevalent than before. Especially in the last one month we've seen two cases of Indian boys unfortunately being, I don't know targeted or what because we don't really know the actual story yet, but both of them recently passed away which is very unfortunate, very scary. And I received so many messages from a lot of my friends from my family they all were worried because it was all over the news. And it's, it's scary, and it's happening a lot more than before which is why as students, especially international students, we have to be very, very careful, we have to know what the protocols are we have to know what what services for instance we have. And, you know, basic safety measures that we need to take for ourselves, so that we keep ourselves safe here. And one thing in the last one year we have seen a lot of changes in the economy, right everywhere and I think a little bit more drastically in the US. So, do you think somewhere these changes in the income structure economy opportunities, all of these has some trickle down effect on any other change, because you live there for three years now right. So, in that, have you noticed any change in the environment, as such, which you feel it could be like possible. And I can actually tell you that, for instance, when we used to go for grocery shopping when we moved here in 2021 versus when we go now, things are very different in terms of how much we pay for the same stuff we did earlier. So yes, inflation has been an issue. And, you know, generally I don't know how many people know about this but then, when we look at more developed countries we think, Hi, Harpers of Hunky Dory oh God, everyone must be like, you know well off and all which is not the case. When you actually come here and you go in these, you know, downtrodden areas, you will actually see a lot of people who are homeless. It's sad, it's, but I think that's a reality everywhere, just that you have a little camouflage for some reason and we are not aware. And also because studies are expensive in the US, a lot of people are uneducated, meaning they have never been to school. There are a lot of Indian cars and when those things happen you obviously see an increase in crime rate. So yes, that possibly has to do with the fact that inflation is on a rise. What do you want to tell the parents first that if you are thinking of sending your child to the US, you know, please know this, and then we'll come to the students who have already decided to come. I believe, you know, the first and the most important thing I'd like to say is maintaining a good relationship with your child so that he or she feels comfortable to share everything with you. Oftentimes when children are here, they are by themselves and sometimes a lot of children who move to the US this is their first experience of living alone doing things by themselves. A lot of times, you know, they might feel vulnerable, they might feel alone, they might feel that they do not have support here or lonely or whatever, but then they're always so concerned about their parents that they don't share those feelings. And when they don't share those feelings, there is this disconnect between the parent and the child. So I think it's very, very important that you let your children know that one, even if they are far away, they are close to you, etc. And they can share everything possible with them. And to that, don't show a lot of your emotional side to them because that could prevent them from sharing. If for instance, if they have a bad roommate, they won't feel comfortable sharing that with you because they know that you'd get more worried for them. Exactly. Like, you know, okay, if I share with my mom, she won't be able to come here and protect me or take care of me. I'll only end up, you know, getting home over it. But then for you, it's important to know who the roommate is. So having that open connection with them, communication with them is I think very, very important. So when these incidents happened, what was the reaction in the university? Like, did you see any specific reaction coming from the university or from the people around you? That's an interesting question. So university, usually when something major happens, we receive an email where the university acknowledges that this has occurred. And for instance, where a year ago, an Indian boy who was a US raised Indian boy, he was stabbed by his Korean roommate. And that was a huge thing because they were living on campus. So this happened, I believe late at night at 2am or so, I don't remember exactly. And in the morning at 8 exactly, when we start receiving emails from the university, the first email we received was regarding this, that this happened and we are aware and proper care to address this issue, etc. So when something major happens, we do receive emails from the university. Besides that, we have a lot of small groups in the university. These groups, essentially, like, you know, we have, for example, an Indian nation community. We have the student government here, which caters to all people, like all graduate students, for instance, not just Asian or Indian or whatever. So whenever something of this sort happens, we usually hold vigils. And yeah, we just see emails talking about those things, but then that's the only reaction I've seen. I have not seen students protest or anything of that sort. But yes, one thing I'd like to say is that because of these events, a lot have has been changed in the last few months. I believe it was last year, 2023 May, when Purdue announced that they are starting with the government announced the government student organization, if I am not mistaken, that there'd be free shuttle services late at night for students so that they are able to travel in case they are on campus late. So there has been an increase in those things. I believe that is what they are trying to do to have more services for students. They also keep sending reminders regarding mental health and a lot of these, you know, mental health services are provided for free for students, in case, you know, students are stressed, feeling suicidal, depressed, etc. So Purdue does have a lot of those options that they keep talking about very frequently for students well-being. For somebody who's coming to Purdue, like, what is the, I wouldn't say like advice, but like, what do you think that person should know that hey, avoid this. This is what, you know, you have to do here. Because the fall season is coming and we're going to have like a picture of students who would want to come to Purdue and study there. A few things like I'd like to highlight. So I have seen a lot of students when they come here. Sometimes when they are research students, they often work late at night. Sometimes they have wet labs, for example, or anything of that sort or even group studies. I've seen a lot of students, both Indian and otherwise, who sit on campus sometimes and they just do group study like two, three students together. But in my opinion, personally speaking, it gets very dark here sometimes in windows it's dark at 536 during summers, sometimes it takes time but then it's pretty dark and when I don't stay late. At the university on campus. As soon as your work is done, you can always come back and finish the work like later talk to your advisor your professors whatever if needed, but do not stay late at night. The second thing I'd like to say is, which is very essential very important no matter which university if you've chosen to go to, but research and find more about the background of your roommates. Try and dig in and really know them before you choose to move in with them, because you are sharing your life with them and it's very important that you know who that person is do they come from a good background. Because like I said the instance that happened last year was because one of the roommates attacked the other roommate. So it's very, very important that you know the background of your roommate who they are. So that you know you are surrounding yourself with people you can be. The third thing I'd like to highlight is that if you have made a group of friends or at least two friends three friends, who you know you can trust entirely whenever you're traveling, especially late in the evenings share your bed bouts with them inform them for instance I have like a group where we often talk about these things and other things as well. So if my friends have been working late in in the web lab and they have just boarded the city bus. They usually messengers saying that I've just boarded so that we know that in case they need us we can always go and help them. Some of us have cars some of us do not. So, sometimes if we are available we help them, you know, reach home their homes. So it's very important that you surround yourself with people with whom you can share your regular updates with also with your parents. Make sure you share all the details of your friends, your professors if you're working in a lab if they're close to you and your roommates very important. Make sure your parents have all the information that contact numbers, email IDs, everything so that in case they are not able to reach you they can always reach to your friends and get all your information. So it's very, very important that your parents know everything about you, where you live, how far for example then your grocery stores if you're going etc so that they are well versed with your updates that you travel around. Is there any area which they should not stay in like if you're coming to Purdue like any location because not everyone would stay on campus. So if any housing society or you know these rental properties they are giving you homes with a very, very cheap at a very cheap price for example if normally it's 500 and they're offering you something for 250 300 always do your back down check, do not go there. If I were you and if I were just starting out here, I would go to a place where I know there are a lot of students living and not a lot of localites because you know sometimes when these housing options are very cheap you'll find a lot of these drug dealers, people who are doing all sorts of wrong things living in those areas and I personally wouldn't put myself at risk living in those areas I would personally prefer housing options or neighborhoods that have a lot of students and it's very easy to find. If you just go if for example you got an offer from Purdue for instance and you know you're you going to select Purdue, they all have most universities including Purdue have resources online where they have shared a list of apartments. Where their students go both on campus and off campus to start out, even though it might be a little more expensive than what you may find fine online, but always go for those listed apartments or housing options first so that you are at the right place to begin with. And then once you come here you can do a little more research and move to a different place later. It's always better to when you're starting out always select something that's safe, something that you know is authorized and approved by the university, meaning it has some, you know, there is some sense of safety. There is some background check done right, you know that if the university is approving it and it's listed on their website meaning it's much safer than a lot of options out there. I want to ask you is what exact resources are available like one thing like what you just mentioned that the university will give you a list of housing. So, adding on to this list, what are the safety options available to you that again you should be aware that okay I have access to this from the university. Right, so there's something that I really liked I've never used, which is called Purdue student security patrol. So there are these bunch of people who are authorized by Purdue, who you can reach out to anytime, especially after the dark. If you want to just simply walk on the road if you're just walking on the campus or doing anything or anywhere in the entire city you can just call them and say that, Listen, I am here, and I think I'm not safe, or I need help or I don't know this place. So can someone come here and help me. And they reach out. Okay, especially after dark. So they provide with the service you can just Google and search for security patrol Purdue, and you will find your contact number email ID etc you can just reach out to them. And when she moved here she had her flight, I think it landed at 3am. And she came here she was waiting for a cab and she was all by herself, and she reached out to them and they came and helped her instantly. They are very efficient I've heard, I have, I have no personal experience, but I think from what I've heard they are really good and they are all around on the campus so they can always help you so whenever, even when during the daytime you feel that someone is walking behind you. You just notice that some behavior that you observed is not safe for you, or you for instance observe someone who has like a gun or something and you're scared or you notice something that's very unusual, you can always call them, and they can come and help you. So they are always there. It's called again security patrol you can just Google and you'll find the contact details. This is one resource that I think I really like and the other one which I think started recently I believe it's been three or four months if I'm not wrong. It's called rights to you. This is only for grad students meaning the ones who are doing masters and postdocs and PhD and postdoc, but I believe it's also for undergrads. This is for grad students only at Purdue, and what they do is that if for example you want to travel anywhere, especially after dark, you can book cabs via them, you just have to make sure that you book a day in advance. So for example, if you know that tomorrow you're going to be on campus until 6pm in the evening or 7pm you have some work or you have a meeting, and you don't feel safe using the city bus, you can fill their form and they provide with free caps for you. So you can travel anywhere in the city using the cab services you don't have to pay anything it's funded by them, and you can travel safely. And you have a shuttle service as well in addition to this is it. Sorry. And there's a shuttle like what you were mentioning earlier. There is a shuttle service, which, which is across the city as well. Oh, that's across the city. Okay. So if you want to use the shuttle that's also free. These cabs are also free so I believe these are good resources that students could use especially if you're working late at night, or if you have, I don't know you have to attend a meeting, or something that you know is going to be. On until late you can always use these services. Okay. And is there any WhatsApp group provides. University doesn't provide with WhatsApp groups, but there are a lot of Facebook groups. There are groups of like specific regions as well so there are like proper Indian Facebook groups and Chinese Facebook groups in Filipino Facebook groups, governments and organizations. Organization as well so if, for example, you just move in here and you do not have a lot of friends from your specific area, you can always join these groups, and then meet people who belong to the same community same group or same state that you belong to so that you are also communicating with them they'll understand you more. And that's how you can build your network really. I think that's also an important resource some something that we often overlook but it's very important to have people who speak your language who come from your area. So that, you know you can trust them more in comparison because you know you have that relatable with it, Relatability helps you. That's true. I also think one thing I'd like to add is that always report anything that's unusual immediately for example, a friend of mine she was walking just around the campus. I think it was two in the afternoon so it was like proper daylight, people were around etc. And just a car passed by and they threw eggs on her. It was very weird. And she got scared and she took a turn because she was like what's this happening and that car then went around again, came back to the same spot and threw more eggs at her. So she immediately reported I think, I think she called 911 I believe so immediately reporting anything that is unusual if you see someone walking behind you following you or doing something that's not normal, always reported so that you are keeping yourself safe.