IIT Kanpur Campus Experience
I recently completed a semester at IIT Kanpur as a semester exchange student, and I wanted to share my amazing experience!
From the moment I stepped on campus, I was struck by the vibrant culture and the sheer intellectual energy of the “IITK Junta”. They are not only exceptionally smart but also incredibly welcoming. One of the first things I learned was the IITK lingo, including “Chill Hai,” a relaxed yet focused attitude that I found incredibly useful. The drama, music, and dance clubs are among the best I’ve ever encountered, making extracurricular life just as enriching as the academic one.
The campus life at IIT Kanpur is simply the best. Spread across over 1000 acres, it has lush green trees (basically forests) with a blend of architecture from the 1960s to the present. Peacocks roam freely, adding to the charm. Cycling around campus was both a necessity and a joy, blending fitness into daily life. One of the most unique spots on campus is the Flight Laboratory, complete with its own airstrip and aircraft—a rarity for educational institutions! Even the mess food, though subjective, was commendable, with 13 messes and canteens offering great variety and affordable prices.
One of the highlights of my stay was attending Techkriti, IIT Kanpur’s annual tech fest. It’s much better than most cultural fests. From a stand-up by Samay Raina, which initially faced crowd complications but eventually went smoothly (Samay OP), to phenomenal concerts by Ankit Tiwari and Farhan Akhtar, the level of management at Techkriti was impressive. The amount of action packed into a short period made me appreciate the effort that goes into such big events.
Weather-wise, this semester was a rollercoaster, with temperatures ranging from a chilly 3 degrees to a scorching 46 degrees. It was quite an adventure!
Academically, the semester was equally rewarding. I took two CSE courses: Computer Networks with Prof. Amitangshu Pal and Big Data Visual Analytics with Prof. Soumya Dutta, Ph.D. The courses required focused attention but were incredibly beneficial. I also enrolled in two MBA courses—Brand Management and Strategic Marketing by Dr. Vivek Rastogi and Prof. Jitender Kumar. These courses were truly enriching, featuring case studies, examples, implications, and group projects. As a BTech student, my POV differed from that of my MBA peers, making our discussions and presentations even more fun.
Overall, this semester at IIT Kanpur was a truly unmatched experience. I would recommend every student to strive for such opportunities. It’s a journey filled with learning, fun, and growth.