Nandu Krishna, a graduate student in the Department of Chemistry studying Chemical Physics at Marquette, is part of the campus celebration of International Education Week (IEW), which runs from November 17–21, 2025. IEW, a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education, highlights the value of international education and cultural exchange. This year, the Graduate School is featuring stories of international students like Nandu, whose experiences enrich the Marquette community.
Growing up in a small, up-and-coming town in Kerala, India, Nandu was surrounded by history and simplicity. “It’s the kind of place where everyone knows each other, a simple four-road intersection surrounded by a few buildings with trees and open fields stretching for kilometers further,” he recalls. His town was home to a 1,300-year-old church and a 700-year-old temple, landmarks that gave him an early appreciation for how life evolves over time.
Nandu’s childhood was shaped by his grandparents, who instilled in him values of compassion and care. “My grandmother never let anyone leave our home with an empty stomach, friends or strangers alike. My dad, though, is still my superhero. He’s the type of person who’d give you the shirt off his back, someone I still want to grow up to be,” Nandu shares. Energetic and curious from a young age, he loved cricket, books, video games, and the smell of soil when it rained—a memory he likens to the monsoons back home.
Academically, Nandu was passionate learning, finishing textbooks over the summer and arriving at class ready for new challenges. While school sometimes felt slow, that early curiosity fueled his love for learning beyond the classroom.
He completed his undergraduate studies at CMS College Kottayam, one of India’s oldest colleges, where he delved deeper into the physical and theoretical aspects of chemistry. It was his undergraduate advisor who first introduced him to Marquette University. “After looking into it, I felt it was the right place for me, a university that valued both strong research and a supportive community,” he says.
Now at Marquette, Nandu studies Chemical Physics with a focus on Chemical Kinetics, exploring how reactions occur and what influences their rates. “It’s challenging, but that’s exactly what I enjoy about it,” he explains. Outside the lab, he has discovered new culinary favorites in the U.S., from butter burgers to tacos, while still holding a special place in his heart—and kitchen—for masala dosa, a dish from home.
Finding community has been central to Nandu’s experience at Marquette. “The international community here has made the experience even better. Everyone is supportive, and there’s a real sense of helping each other out. I’ve found a small group of friends from Kerala, which makes it feel a little more like home,” he says. For him, the balance between academics, research, and community has made life at Marquette both rewarding and meaningful.
Reflecting on his journey from a small town in Kerala to Milwaukee, Nandu says, “Marquette has given me the opportunity to keep learning, exploring, and finding my place in the world.”
