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I want to be honest with you: this is not an easy topic to write about. But on this site I talk about the real experience of studying in the US — not just the visa process, but what life actually looks like once you get there. So when incidents like these keep happening, I have to address them. I spoke with Elina, a third-year PhD student in Nutrition Sciences at Purdue University — the same university where two Indian students were recently found dead. She has lived there since 2021, and what she shared is something every student and every parent should hear.
What is actually happening on the ground
Elina told me that personally she has felt safe at Purdue — and she pointed out that as a hijabi woman, she was aware people might assume she would face more hostility, but that has not been her experience. That said, she is the first to say that gun violence in the US is real, it exists, and you cannot simply wish it away. What has changed, she told me, is the frequency. In the past month alone, two Indian male students died under circumstances that are still not fully understood. Her friends and family were messaging her constantly because it was all over the news. The honest picture is this: it is happening more than before, and international students in particular need to be informed and careful.
One contributing factor Elina raised is the economic environment. She compared grocery shopping in 2021 when she arrived to what it costs now — a stark difference. Inflation has pushed more people into financial hardship. There are areas in US cities where homelessness is visible, where people are living in their cars, where access to education is low. When economic pressure builds, crime rates tend to follow. This is not unique to the US, but it is something students arriving from India often do not expect because the image of America they carry does not include that reality.
Advice for parents: what to do from India
Elina's most important advice for parents was something I found genuinely moving: maintain a real, open relationship with your child so they actually feel comfortable telling you things. Many students — especially those living alone for the first time — feel vulnerable, lonely, and unsupported, but they hide all of it from their parents because they do not want to cause worry. So there is a disconnect, and that disconnect is dangerous.
She put it simply: if your child has a bad roommate, a situation that feels unsafe, or a moment where they feel overwhelmed — they need to be able to tell you. But if every time they share something difficult you break down or escalate, they will stop sharing. She said, and I think this is wise: show your child you are strong enough to hear the truth. That does not mean pretending everything is fine. It means letting them know that no matter what happens, they can come to you — and that you will not fall apart. At the same time, make sure you know who their roommates are, where they live, and who their close friends are. Have those contact numbers. Have their professors' details if possible. If you cannot reach your child, you need to be able to reach someone who can.
What Purdue does when something happens
When incidents occur, Elina said the university sends an email acknowledging what happened — she gave the example of an on-campus stabbing where an Indian student was killed by his Korean roommate. By 8 a.m. the morning after the incident, students had already received an official email from Purdue addressing it. There are also vigils organised by student groups and community organisations. What she has not seen is large-scale student protests — but she has seen the university respond in practical ways. In May 2023, Purdue announced free shuttle services operating late at night so students can travel safely after dark. Mental health resources are provided free of charge and the university sends regular reminders about those services for students dealing with stress, depression, or worse.
Safety measures every student at Purdue — and anywhere in the US — should follow
Do not stay late on campus at night
Elina said this clearly: she does not stay late on campus after dark, and she would encourage you not to either. In winter it gets dark by 5 or 6 p.m. in Indiana. If you are a research student working in a wet lab, or you are doing group study sessions that run late — finish what you can and come back to it the next day. Talk to your advisor if you need flexibility. Your safety is worth more than a few extra hours in the lab.
Research your roommates before you move in
This is non-negotiable. You are sharing your daily life with this person. Elina pointed to the on-campus stabbing as the exact reason this matters — a roommate was the one who caused harm. Before you agree to live with someone, find out what you can about their background, where they are from, how they present themselves. It takes effort, but it is worth it. You want to surround yourself with people you can genuinely feel safe around.
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Elina and her friends have a group where they check in with each other. If someone has been working late and they just boarded the city bus, they send a quick message to the group — just to say they are on their way. If something feels off, someone can help. Some of them have cars and can give lifts. Even two or three trusted people is enough. Do the same with your parents: share your location, your routine, your friends' contact details, and even details like where the nearest grocery store is. Your parents should know enough about your daily life that if they cannot reach you, they know exactly who to call next.
Choose your housing carefully
If a rental is priced significantly below everything else in the area — say, $250 or $300 when the going rate is $500 — do not just take it because it is cheap. Elina's advice is straightforward: if you are just arriving, start with housing that is listed on the university's own website. Most universities including Purdue publish approved apartment lists for both on-campus and off-campus options. Yes, they may cost a little more. But you know the university has vetted them, which is worth something when you are new and you do not yet have a feel for the neighbourhoods. Once you have settled in, you can look around and potentially move somewhere else. But do not begin your US experience in a bargain apartment in an area you know nothing about.
Safety resources available to Purdue students
Elina shared two specific resources at Purdue that I think are genuinely useful and that many students do not know exist.
Purdue Student Security Patrol
This is a group of people authorised by Purdue who you can call any time — especially after dark — if you feel unsafe, if you are unsure of your surroundings, or if you simply want someone to walk with you. They cover the campus and the city. Elina shared that a friend of hers arrived on a 3 a.m. flight, was waiting alone for a cab, and called the Security Patrol. They came immediately. You can find their contact details by searching for Purdue Student Security Patrol online. Even during the day — if you notice a car following you, someone behaving strangely, or anything that feels wrong — you can call them.
Rides to You — free cab service for graduate students
This service is available for graduate students (Masters, PhD, postdoc) at Purdue. If you know you will be on campus late — say until 6 or 7 p.m. — and you do not feel safe taking the city bus, you can book a free cab through this programme the day before. There is also a free shuttle service that runs across the city. Both are free. Both are there specifically so that students are not left stranded after dark. If you are a Purdue student, look these up now — before you need them — so you already know how to use them when the situation arises.
Community Facebook groups and local networks
The university will not set up WhatsApp groups for you, but there are established Facebook groups for Indian students, and groups organised by region or state back home. When you first arrive and do not yet have friends, these groups are a real way to find people who speak your language, understand your background, and are more likely to look out for you. Do not overlook this. Building even a small community around you matters enormously for both your safety and your wellbeing.
Always report anything unusual — immediately
Elina shared a story that stuck with me. A friend of hers was walking near campus at 2 p.m. — broad daylight, people around — when a car drove past and threw eggs at her. She turned away, shaken. The car came back around and did it again. She called 911 immediately. It sounds minor compared to the incidents making headlines, but the lesson is the same: if something feels wrong, report it right away. Do not wait. Do not talk yourself out of it. Whether it is someone following you, behaviour that does not feel right, or something you have spotted that looks dangerous — call 911 or the campus security patrol. Reporting in the moment is how you protect yourself and potentially others.
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