HN Explorer

Ask HN: I got invited to a US math summer program; I'm in India and need help

17 points by octatoan ↗ HN
(I posted this on /r/math too.)

Hey, HN.

I'm a junior / 11th grade student in India. I just got an invite email from HCSSiM[1]. Now, barring the fact that it'll be difficult for me to even pay the airfare (for myself alone, let alone taking a parent with me, I might think about Indiegogo or something), there's a bigger problem staring me in the face: how do I get to the program location alone?

I have no relatives in the US, and I think it'll be very difficult indeed for me to travel alone within the US (not to mention extremely unsafe and worrying to my parents). The program's going to be held at Hampshire College, I think, and I don't think any flight to the US will get me to Boston directly.

Oh, in case it's not clear, I really, really want to go. They might (they have in the past) teach Galois theory, or knot theory, or projective geometry there, for heavens' sake.

What do I do? Any ideas, HN?

[1]: http://hcssim.org/

16 comments

[ 4.6 ms ] story [ 40.6 ms ] thread
siscia
Maybe you could talk with somebody at the HCSSiM of your concern...

Maybe they can fix everything, or maybe they cannot do anything, most likely they will be a lot more useful than us.

The best think that can happen is that they pay for your ticket and VISA and provide you with somebody that will take care of you when you are in the States...

Best of Luck...

loumf
I live in Northampton, MA (< 10 miles from Hampshire College). Not sure of your exact dates, but if in town, I can pick you at Hartford (BDL) or Boston and take you to Hampshire. I'm sure they will have some kind of accommodations for you (or can get them).

I have contact info on my HN page.

octatoan
Wow, thanks. That's very kind of you.
halleym
Amtrak runs to Northampton. If you flew to Boston - with or without a connection from New York, Atlanta or another regional airline hub - you could take the Amtrak train to get to the school. From the train station, there are probably taxi cabs, or you could arrange with a local to pick you up.
loumf
Amtrak from Boston to Northampton is not very direct (I bet NYC is faster). A bus would be better from Boston. If you are changing planes, the closest airport is BDL (Hartford, CT) -- Bus, Train, Taxi all possible from there (Valley Transporter is probably the best option for convenience/cost)
montyvan
Hi, There is a direct flight from Mumbai to EWR(Newark NJ). From there, you can take a bus to Boston. Check with the HCSSiM if they fund students. Best of luck for your efforts.
loumf
Hampshire College is in MA, but not near Boston. Take the bus to Amherst, MA (Peter Pan goes there -- there's even a MegaBus (cheap!) stop that is close enough to local bus the rest of the way).

They would probably pick you up from either stop.

planetraintaxi
India to NYC (fly)

NYC to Northampton, MA (train) http://www.amtrak.com/vermonter-train

Northampton to Hampshire College (taxi)

lostinpoetics
if you're looking for public transportation options, this is probably the best bet. getting from NYC airports to penn station (where the Vermonter leaves from) depends on whether you fly into JFK/LGA or EWR (Newark, NJ). for JFK/LGA it's easiest to just take a cab to penn station (it's a flat rate of around 50 dollars i think, but be careful because some cabs are known to try and sucker people). if you fly into EWR you can just take the train from the airport right to penn station (NJ Transit) for much less. just be sure to build in extra time since google maps is notoriously optimistic with NYC transportation (imo)
izolate
In many ways, the USA is a much safer place in which to solo-travel than India is. Don't be fearful, see this opportunity as an adventure. Be confident and brave! You'll learn so much from traveling alone.

I just hope you find a way to finance it.

trcollinson
What an absolutely amazing program! I have never heard of it until your post, and I have to thank you for pointing it out. I have to show my son!

Looking at the FAQ [1] it looks like they would really like to discuss both your financial and travel arrangements with you. They seem quite open to helping in all areas. I would reach out to them directly and maybe even suggest a skype call with one of their faculty and your parents. Go for it! This could be a life defining experience.

[1] http://www.hcssim.org/faq.html

octatoan
Your son can still apply this year, I believe -- you might want to check. And good luck to him!

> This could be a life defining experience.

I strongly suspect you're right. This is a huge bargaining chip for me in convincing my parents to let me go. :)

trcollinson
My friend, I would gladly explain to your parents that these areas are actually exceptionally safe, even by US standards. I hope they will let you go. This is in a more rural area of Massachusetts. I am sure your parents have heard horror stories of incidents happening in the US lately, but Hampshire College is not in an unsafe area. Good luck!
octatoan
They're really more scared about me falling asleep in, say, London airport and missing a flight. :/
HenryTheHorse
Travel arrangements are an easy problem to solve. Any international travel agent in Mumbai/Delhi/Bangalore/Hyderabad etc will help you build a good travel plan.

There are plenty of flight options from India to the East coast. Newark, Boston and New York (JFK) are all major hubs and will easily connect you to your college town.

I'll be more than happy to help you if you need any specific information.

magic_beans
Why don't you contact someone at the program? It's their job to help you figure this out.