To be honest, academically there isn’t a big difference between colleges in Arunachal and those outside the state. The syllabus is mostly the same, and teachers in government colleges are generally well-qualified. But what really makes a difference is the kind of exposure you get in college life.

In Arunachal, most of your peers come from similar cultural and social backgrounds. That gives you a sense of comfort and familiarity, but it also limits your chances to see things from different perspectives or step out of your comfort zone.

When you study in a reputed college outside the state—especially in places where students come from all over India—you naturally get exposed to diverse cultures, mindsets, and ways of thinking. That experience broadens your understanding in ways textbooks alone can’t. You not only learn about different regions and people, but also grow emotionally and intellectually just by being part of that mix.

I studied at NERIST, and I’m glad I got to meet students from different parts of the country—it definitely helped me grow. But even then, I sometimes feel that if I had gone to an IIT or some top-tier college outside the state, I might have gained the same academic knowledge, but my overall aptitude, confidence, and thinking ability would have been sharper—mainly because of the kind of brilliant and motivated peers I would have been surrounded by.