 In response to the growing challenges faced by Indian students in the United States—including concerns around safety and security, mental health, immigration, and post-graduation career opportunities—the American Telugu Association (ATA) organized a comprehensive Student Orientation Program at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, the alma mater of Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella on November 2nd,2025.

The event, held in collaboration with various Indian student organizations, aimed to provide valuable guidance, resources, and mentorship to international students navigating life and studies in the U.S. The program drew strong participation from the student community and featured an exceptional lineup of speakers, including law enforcement officials, immigration attorneys, career counselors, insurance experts, and successful entrepreneurs.

Key Sessions and Highlights

Safety and Security: 
Chief of Police Brian Switala and Police Lieutenant Alexander Ewend from the UW–Milwaukee Police Department shared essential safety tips and informed students about available university and local resources to handle emergency situations effectively.

Campus Life and Community Integration: 
Dr. Swarnjit S. Arora, Emeritus Professor of Economics, encouraged students to broaden their horizons through cross-cultural interactions, emphasizing the importance of developing communication and interpersonal skills for global success.

Pathways to Internships and Careers: 
Industry leaders Ravi Reddy (CEO, serial tech entrepreneur and venture investor), Kiran Pasham (Co-founder, President, and Architect of SplashBI), and K.K. Reddy (entrepreneur) offered insights on securing internships, networking, and building a fulfilling career in technology and related fields.

Navigating Immigration Policies: 
Attorneys from Somireddy Law Firm and the Law Offices of Prashanthi Reddy discussed key aspects of CPT and OPT regulations, provided guidance on maintaining immigration compliance, and addressed questions about recent challenges faced by students.

Health and Life Insurance
Awareness: Insurance specialist Krishna Rangaraju spoke about the importance of adequate health and life insurance coverage, outlining the various options available to international students in times of need.

ATA Leadership and Acknowledgments
The event spearheaded by ATA President Jayanth Challa, Secretary Sainath Reddy Boyapalli, and Board of Trustees members Maheedar Muskula, Ven Reddy, R.V. Reddy, and Krishna Rangaraju also attended the event.

ATA Media Chair Bhanu Swargam and the Milwaukee team comprising of Polireddy Ganta, Chandramouli Saraswathi, Jayanth Para, Karunakar Reddy, Venkat Jalari, Santhoshi Valluri, Raja Nethi, Vivekanand Kommineni, and Vikranth Reddy Kunduru—played a key role in the event coordination and making the event a success. Special thanks were extended to SAI Group volunteers Nikhila Kalidindi and Jawahar Reddy, who coordinated student engagement and ensured the program’s smooth execution.

﻿American Telugu Association Hosts Student Orientation for Indian Students at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee

American Telugu Association Hosts Student Orientation for Indian Students at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee