Not at all. IIT Madras has a highly diverse and welcoming campus environment, with students coming from almost every part of the country. Contrary to common assumptions, there is no single-language dominance on campus, and students from different regions fit in comfortably. English is the primary medium of communication in academics, while students commonly converse in multiple languages across campus.
Here are some aspects students from North India are often curious about:
Staff
Most staff members on campus understand enough Hindi and English to communicate comfortably with students. Half of the working personnel here are from North India, hence there are no gaps in communication. Securities, vendors, cafe serving crew, etc., provide a healthy surrounding and are very helpful.
Food
Food can be one of the greatest fears while studying in another state. The IIT Madras mess functions in such a way that no student is forced to eat whatever is served to them. There are a wide variety of North, South, and Jain caterers who offer a variety of dishes for students to choose from, along with a mess food court. The in-campus food courts contain a wide array of dishes offered at a fair price. There is also a late-night food truck to satisfy odd-time cravings!
Academics
The medium of instruction at IIT Madras is English. Lectures, course materials, assignments and examinations are all conducted in English, eliminating language-related concerns in academics. Students also have opportunities to learn additional languages through elective courses and interactions on campus.
Culture
There are committees from every part of the country, like the Marathi Mitra Mandal, Hindi Mitra Mandal, Rangla Punjab, Kerala Kala Samiti, Kannada Samskruthika Sangha, etc., that bring together people from the same state to engage in year-round interactions and organise events. From Lohri to Onam, every major festival is celebrated, adorning the entire campus with festive lights throughout the year.
IIT Madras is a reflection of the entire City of Chennai with respect to how people from other states are treated. By the time you graduate, there is a high chance of you being fluent in a new language, such is the culture here!
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