Student view: Seizing every opportunity at MSU

Om Nair is a senior in the Honors College majoring in applied engineering sciences with a concentration in business analytics and minors in entrepreneurship and innovation and data science. He is a recipient of the Al Kranz Endowed Award for Engineering and serves as editor-in-chief of MSU’s undergraduate research journal SPARC. Nair is an international student from Mumbai, India and is a member of the 2025 Homecoming Court.

I wanted to study in the U.S. because of the opportunity to do interdisciplinary work. I am interested in fields of study that go together like engineering, sustainability and analytics but also things that have very little to do with each other on the surface like science, entrepreneurship, painting and photography.

The American education system offers the unique opportunity for students to pursue all of their interests without compromising one passion for another — that's really the core reason why I wanted to come here. I landed at Michigan State because I was intending to major in environmental engineering and MSU has some fascinating research in this field.

The decision was made when I received the Professorial Assistantship through the Honors College where I got the opportunity to do some exciting research with Annick Anctil in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. This was so unique because most students figure out their undergraduate research pathways in later semesters of their college careers and the fact that I got to do it from day one was what grounded my values and aspirations. This early exposure to undergraduate research later led to my founding MSU's first student-run undergraduate research journal, SPARC, with my good friend Veona Cutinho.

I wanted to serve on the Homecoming Court because as an international student the concept of homecoming was so foreign and fascinating. One of the best things I like about MSU is how large yet close-knit the Spartan community is and how we come closer in times of need to uplift each other. The idea of alumni and friends of the university coming back to their old stomping grounds to support current students and create a legacy of care and excellence is so endearing.

Whenever I get asked, "What is Homecoming Court? Is it just ceremonial?" I often find myself coming back to its purpose as a service position. We are ambassadors of the university, voices of the causes closest to our hearts that we have dedicated the past three years serving and examples of the full Spartan experience. I wanted to showcase just how many opportunities there are in East Lansing and how all Spartans can use their time and experiences here to do good in the global community.

This story originally appeared on the International Studies and Programs website.