Rysa Bothra is a second-year student from India majoring in computer science and engineering in the College of Engineering. Bothra took time to share insights into her experience at Ohio State.
What made Ohio State the right choice for you?
As an international student from halfway across the globe, choosing Ohio State was about finding a place where I could chase my passion for computer science while feeling welcomed in a new country. Ohio State's computer science and engineering program stood out for its cutting-edge curriculum and research opportunities, like the work being done in AI and cybersecurity, which aligned perfectly with my goal of becoming a software engineer. During my virtual campus tour, I was struck by the diversity of the student body, over 6,000 international students from 100+ countries made me feel like I’d find my place. The Buckeye spirit, from the football games to the tight-knit community I saw in videos promised a vibrant experience I couldn’t resist. Plus, the Office of International Affairs’ support and the various cultural events hosted by clubs, gave me confidence that I’d have a home away from home. Ohio State felt like the perfect launchpad to grow, learn, and connect in a global community.
How was the process of joining the Ohio State community? How did you meet other Buckeyes?
Joining Ohio State’s massive community was intimidating at first. I mean, 8,200 new students in my class alone! But the welcome week events, like the convocation where we all sang “Carmen Ohio,” made me feel like I was part of something special. It didn’t take long before it started to feel like home. I met people everywhere. Through orientation, classes, student orgs, and even just grabbing food on campus. There are thousands of ways to connect with other Buckeyes. Before I knew it, I had a community that felt like family.
How has your classroom experience been?
My classroom experience as a computer science and engineering major at Ohio State has been intense but incredibly exciting. Diving into courses like Data Structures and Algorithms has pushed me to think logically and creatively at the same time. I’ll never forget the first time my code for a binary search tree actually worked after hours of debugging in Dreese Labs, it felt like solving a puzzle. My professors bring so much energy to lectures, breaking down complex concepts like dynamic programming with real-world examples, like optimizing a ride-sharing app. Group projects have been a huge part of my growth; in my software engineering class, my team built a functional web app for a mock client, which taught me how to collaborate under pressure and use Git like a pro. The workload can be brutal, especially during project deadlines, but the Computer Science and Engineering department’s tutoring sessions and office hours have been helpful for keeping me on track. I’ve loved how much emphasis there is on applying knowledge to real-world problems. It really prepares you for what your career in that subject would look like, helping you get more clarity working on projects with classmates has been one of the best parts. I’ve learned as much from them as I have from the coursework and the professors.
What resources are you using on campus?
I’ve leaned on a mix of resources depending on what I needed at the time. The Thompson Library is my go-to spot for getting focused. The career fairs really helped me dip my toes in the pool when it came to networking and exploring different career paths. Just getting the chance to talk with recruiters and see what’s out there made the whole idea of internships and future jobs feel a lot more real. And I can’t forget the RPAC, those pick-up soccer and badminton games are my escape when I need a break.
What is the highlight of your time at Ohio State?
Without a doubt, the highlight of my time here has been our national championship win in January 2025. I was on High Street that night and it was freezing but the street was a sea of scarlet and gray, with everyone chanting “O-H . . . I-O”. The whole street was packed with Buckeyes, everyone cheering, singing, and celebrating together. It didn’t matter if you knew the person next to you or not. In that moment, we were all one family. That night captured everything I love about Ohio State: the pride, the tradition and the way this community comes alive for each other. It’s not just a school you go to for 4 years because once a Buckeye, always a Buckeye!