National Institute of Design

University is so unbelievably beautiful, I feel more like I’m working in a tropical retreat than at a school. NIDs main gate in on a busy road that takes a little skill and a fair amount of bravery to cross every day - I can’t decide if it’s the constant honking and dust, or the speeding scooters and rickshaws combined with slow moving cows and elephants that is the worst. Although stepping onto campus, literally the second I step through the gates, it’s a peaceful jungle where car beeping and the pollution seem like a completely different world; birds and the occasional monkey are the only things to really hear or be wary of. The main building is majorly hidden by trees having grown up the walls, but with amazing bright orange spiral staircases protruding to lead up to different studios. It is very open air with few doors closing anyone inside, so university is open nearly all night and is filled with people day and night working or meeting up.

My favourite part of the campus though would have to be the park. Just beside the main building is a grassy field walled by more trees and flowers, helping the feeling of paradise while I take a break. At one end is the old monument/temple which is beautiful. Monkeys are really the only things to disturb while they run across the ground between trees, although Frisbee games or badminton matches are often played by students.

Classes are very relaxed compared to my Scottish studies. My textile course is currently a six-week print design creative project and so it is expected that I am in the studio every day from about 9:30am. But it is never mentioned or even frowned upon if anyone is late. Somehow despite the Indian laid-back attitude, my classmates all seem very dedicated and it is rare that anyone leaves before 6:30pm. We set our own breaks and work to our own pace, wondering off to make dye or print samples whenever we are ready. It is also quite common place to find a dog napping in a corridor, something that was a little strange for me to begin with.

BMW is the NID café where the chai tea is amazing, and because I don’t understand the menu, it’s always a surprise when my order is ready. Although the state of Gujarat is generally not considered as having spicy food, I do sometimes get a little fright when trying something new, but I have not yet eaten anything I didn’t like. Mess is another cafeteria at uni, where breakfast, lunch and dinner is served for 50rs (around 60p) for an all you can eat meal. The Indian students tell me this is very basic food, and isn't very good compared to home cooking, but for me the rice, sauces and naan are so delicious!