Sukhdeep Singh is 24 years old, and he is majoring in Electrical and Computer Science Engineering. He is from Bathinda situated in Punjab region in India and he is a Ph.D. research scholar in Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU). He is also President of Indian Association in Sungkyunkwan University, which is an exclusive organization for Indian students in studying in SKKU. This is his story.

India and Korea

Sukhdeep Singh was born in Bathinda situated in Punjab state. His father is a Chemical Engineer.

What was your childhood like?

"I did my schooling from one of the best schools of India, St. Xavier's School. Apart from studies, I have been playing drums for at a band. I also performed the regional traditional dance 'Bhangra' in festivals organized by the school and universities in India. I also represented my university in various state swimming competitions."

Coming to Korea from India, what were the biggest differences?

"Firstly, weather in Korea is not as hot as India. Temperature reaches up to 50 degrees celsius in summers in India. But winter is different. Winter in my hometown is not as cold as Korea. Korea's winter are severe. Korean and Indian food are completely different too, but I really like Dakgalbi. The People I met are very kind and honest, and I enjoyed going out with them. But regardless of these differences there also many similarities too."

Feel Korea

It has been two years since you came, what prompt you to come to Korea?

"​I am currently working in mobile company in 4G LTE, LTE-A networks. Korea is the hub for networking research and innovations. My academic guide Prof. Navrati Saxena and co-guide Dr. Abhishek Roy have vast knowledge and experience in networking, so I chose to pursue my Ph.D. under their guidance in Korea.​"

When you first came to Korea, your adjustment was made possible through due to Indian friends who already have been in Korea. Tell me about your experience at the airport?

"When I arrived at Incheon airport for the first time, I was collecting my baggage from the conveyer belt. It was really heavy because my mother packed lot of things. Suddenly two Koreans, a man and a women, came over to help me to get my luggage off the conveyor belt.  I was moved with by this small incident. It left a very positive impression of Korea and Koreans in my mind."

Although you had positive feelings for Korea, there are inconveniences in living in Korea.

"​Language is the most difficult and inconvenient thing in Korea. From hanging out to taking a job in Korea, we need to have a certain command of the Korea​n language. Otherwise, it's difficult to survive over here."

You have your own way of enjoying Korea?

 
"I have been to Busan two times. Thousands of people get together in March near Haeundae​ beach every year to celebrate one of the biggest festival of India, i.e. Holi. We all enjoy a lot in Busan."

Student of the Department of Electrical and Computer Science Engineering

You came to SKKU to receive a Ph.D. degree under guidance of one of the prominent professors in SKKU, Prof. Navrati Saxena. What was the reason to chose to learn electrical and computer science engineering?

"Since I started my bachelor's degree in India, I was greatly fascinated about the field of computer science. Computer Science has become part of every life nowadays. It has become my passion after coming in-touch with this study back  in 2008.​ This also prompted me to chose my major in the study as well.“

“I was fascinated by the fact that computer can change peoples' lives. If you carefully notice your daily routine from morning till night, you will get to know the charm of Computer Science. We are surrounded by endless gadgets. It has changed the living style and standard of the people throughout the world. Our Grand fathers dreamt of some futuristic impossible things which we possess today. But nowadays we regard these things as the norm. What we dream of will be possible in the coming generations. Making these things possible is only due to computer science inventions and research."

You now work at Mobile Ubiquitous ​Systems Information Centre(MUSIC).

"MUSIC works in mobile wireless network and related technologies. It includes 4G/5G networks, mobile video over wireless, IoT, M2M, D2D, Smart Grids, Social networks, cloud services etc. Director of this Centre is my Professor, Prof. Navrati Saxena. She has been guiding me in every step of my research. She has provided us with every possible facility in the laboratory. We have 7 Ph.D. scholars, 3 Masters & 3 interns working under Professors from Malaysia, Singapore, India, Pakistan & Saudi Arabia."

What is your role MUSIC?

"​My Professor appointed me as laboratory head of MUSIC to take care of laboratory students, environment and help them in their research."

Indian Association

You setup the Indian Association representing Indian students with the help of SKKU International Affairs office. This association is for Indian students in SKKU. You are currently serving as president of Indian Association. There are about 70 Indians working in SKKU including Master students, Ph.D. research scholars, Post doctoral fellows and Professors. Association organizes 4-5 events per year to bring all Indians together to get the chance to know each other.

"First, during the fall session there is a cultural festival in SKKU Suwon campus. Association put up Indian food stall for all the students in SKKU to enjoy Indian food.​ Second, the association celebrates Diwali which is the most important festival of India. It's also known as festival of Light. Third, we celebrate the Indian  Independence day which falls on the same day as Korean liberation day, 15th August. Fourth, in Spring session we conduct a re-union where all the new and old students meet each other and have fun. Last year, we also worked to collect flood relief funds for the affected areas in India."

Can you introduce the events in detail? starting form the food stall?

"International office sent an invitation to each country representative to put up the respective country food stalls in SKKU cultural night. It's a pleasure for the association to be part of SKKU cultural festival. Organizers and volunteers cook Indian food at their home beforehand. Some of the food items like 'NAAN' is cooked on the spot and served. Nearly around 10 Indian food items are cooked and served. We will put up this stalls this year as well"

Diwali which the association’s most ambitious event had an article published in the  'Korea Herald'.

"As I explained before Diwali is the most important and biggest festival of India.​ It is the most challenging event for the association to organize because people’s expectations are high. They want to enjoy their festival to the fullest, as what they  are used to at their homes. although its a lot of work for the organizers  we enjoy it.“

"For every event the association organizes a team of organizers. This team is chosen by the president according to their interest. Organizers sit together and make plans for organizing the event. People are invited through e-mails and social media websites. Nearly around 50 Indians participate in these programs."

The Indian Association collected relief fund for recovering flood damage of India last year.

"Last year there were heavy floods in Kashmir, the northern parts of India. Our association thought of help the people in need. There was an organization formed in India, 'Heal Kashmir'. A person from Samsung Electronics was helping to provide clothes and some money to that organization. Our association contacted that person and helped them by providing them winter clothes, blankets, shoes and others."

The association not only organizes events for the indian community but also helps Indian students in SKKU campus.

"​We help new Indian students joining SKKU to become adjusted to SKKU. Every year about 7-8 Indian students join SKKU. We help those students in finding the homes nearby the campus, introducing them to campus life, opening their bank accounts, getting them registered with the immigration office. We also assist in taking care of Indian students as well."

His Goal

What is your goal considering academic study to Indian Association?

"My dream after education is to work in some respectable company in Canada or Australia for 7-8 years. After that I and my friend would like to go back to India and open our own company​ with an office in India & abroad, working in design, animation and social media.“