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Anushree

Anushree was familiar with adapting to change as she had moved from India to Pennsylvania in 2005 to pursue her graduate studies in Plant Molecular Biology at Penn State. In order to meet friends Anushree challenged herself by joining an improv comedy troupe. “I thought I would try it for a couple of weeks and then go on my way but I was one of those people that ended in the group 6 years later. I got all my new friends and my husband (Michael) through the group. Its just… you have to push your boundaries sometimes.”

Anushree and Michael graduated during an economic recession; scientific funding and job options were limited. So when Micheal got a postdoctoral position in Chile, as an astronomer, the couple left their U.S lifestyle behind and moved to Chile. “Given that he is an astronomer, Chile was a great place to be… Being a biologist, I thought it would be easy to find a job but I found that it was not.”

Anushree appreciated Chile’s unique vegetation, fresh produce, stable economy and Chilean wine but once again found herself challenging herself to get connected to a new community. “It’s a very pretty country but you need to learn the language… I thought knowing four languages would help me but it didn’t [laughs]. I took [language] classes and then I would try to speak to people in the local shops and markets… I had a hard time getting a job, especially in my subject…. I had to figure out how to use my time, so I started to learn [and teach] cooking.” Anushree met and fed many people through her cooking classes.

After 3 ½ years of living in Chile, one of Micheal’s projects did not get renewed and the couple was missing a “home base”. “I am from India and it itself is far away but Chile was on the other side of the globe! Visiting India, or any set of parents, was a big ordeal. So [we decided] lets be close to one set of parents. It was not a hard decision to move back to the U.S". At the same time they were thinking about moving they came across a postdoctoral position with Caltech. “So turns out the job description was tailor made for him and it was required for someone to start immediately. The couple got the job; they packed in frenzy and moved to California.”

Upon moving the California Anushree observed that the west and east were very different. The lack of recycling programs and cars that stopped for people at crosswalks had Anushree concerned, however she was won over by the Caltech community’s ‘nerdiness’. “I initially wanted to go back to the east coast but I like Caltech…It feels nice and nerdy. You can join attend science talks, music events and Pokemon group… The only time that Caltech students went on protest is when StarTrek was cancelled… [laughs].”

Anushree has a tremendous passion for Biology and her ideal job is to mentor undergraduate students in their research and/or to work in a lab herself. Anushree has not yet landed her dream position but has been hired as a volunteer to teach children natural science with Caltech Postdoc Association's after school enrichment program (CPA-STEM for families).

When Anushree is not looking for jobs and volunteering with CPS STEM, she is attending and helping with Caltech International Spouses Club’s (CISC) gardening and cooking group. “I like to gardening, and when we came to California I was like, ‘Yay, it’s actually not under the snow for half the year and we can grow plants’. I have 30-40 plants on my balcony at home and we have the [CISC] garden. The plants are happy and it’s a nice socializing thing.”

Anushree reflects on some of her greatest learning’s from her experiences across the globe; “…You are going to have certain challenges but you are also going to enjoy certain things. I really had to keep an open mind for it and integrate myself in to the local culture… Don’t stick to your comfort zone, try to push your limits and go out!”

Created By
Amanda Priddle and Christophe Marcade
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Credits:

Cjristophe Marcade

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