My journey to Aalto

About me

Hei! My name is Malhar and I’m a third year student in the BA in Design programme. I’m originally from Mumbai, where I completed my high school degree in 2023 and moved straight to Helsinki at 18. My projects often combine my various passions, such as sound, sports, and products. Besides my studies, I pursue many hobbies at Aalto, from joining a band and creating a budget home studio to playing football and doing a lot of outdoor calisthenics. 

Why I chose the Design BA Programme

To say that the final two years of high school were confusing is an understatement, especially with the Covid-19 pandemic at its peak. That said, spending two years in an isolated bubble had its upsides; it gave me a chance to reconnect with a creative side that had remained latent for five years. I started creating music, explored different forms of fine art, and slowly began thinking of myself as something resembling a creative. As an artist with a science based education, it was difficult to choose which path to take at this intersection; either follow in my brother's footsteps and study engineering or pursue a creative career. 

Aalto's interdisciplinary nature allowed me to combine all my interests and passions within my education. Design as an academic field lurks at the edge of various disciplines (art, technology, and business), which made it the perfect fit for someone who never quite belonged to just one. The programme's emphasis on combining analytical and creative thinking resonated with me deeply, and felt like a natural extension of the creative identity I had only just begun to build. I believe that this degree is the perfect stepping stone for people who are creatively driven but haven't yet found a precise direction to focus their purpose into.

Moving to Aalto 

The first year of university was nothing short of a rollercoaster. Due to some minor issues with my visa, I unfortunately arrived more than a month late. This meant that integrating into my peers' already established friend groups was an arduous task in itself. However, being the 'new guy' meant I had to be more intentional about the connections I made, which, in hindsight, wasn't the worst thing. 

Arriving late also meant that I wasn’t able to secure the best living situations. I spent the first month in a hostel near campus until I was offered an apartment in Kännelmäki, which is a 45 minute bus ride to uni. A few months later, I was offered another apartment on campus which, to my nasty surprise, turned out to have a bedbug infestation. After spending nearly eight months fighting the bedbugs through fault reports, fumigations, and pest control visits, I was finally offered my current apartment, which is honestly the best living situation a student could ask for. It was worth the wait.

Finnish student culture seemed more like a cult with its unique traditions and idiosyncrasies. One part that really stood out was that of the 'sit-sit.' A formal yet chaotic dinner and drinking event, complete with songs, speeches given by ‘song-leaders,’ and an unspoken rulebook that somehow everyone but you seems to know. What surprised me, however, was how easy it was to find my footing despite not speaking a word of Finnish. A good portion of the songs were in English, and the ones that weren't were humorous enough that the melody alone was sufficient. By the end of the night, I was singing along just as enthusiastically as everyone else.

No amount of writing will be able to capture the essence of being a student in Finland, and apart from sharing glimpses into the peculiarities of living here, one needs to experience it firsthand. Three years ago, I would never have imagined living in obscure little Finland, and yet, now I cannot imagine being anywhere else. 

You can chat with Malhar and other student ambassadors on Unibuddy!