Story: Lisa Sollie | Photo: Cody Ingram
Growing up in New Delhi, India, Anmol Arora never imagined that a year-long graphic design course in high school would one day lead him to the United States—and eventually a career in instructional design.
Arora arrived at the University of West Alabama in August 2024 to study learning, design, and technology through a 1+1 program he discovered while pursuing a master’s in animation at Chandigarh University in Punjab, India. He chose the U.S. because he had an aunt in Virginia. “If I was going to study abroad, I wanted it to be somewhere I had family,” he said.
Though the transition to UWA went smoothly, his first grocery trip proved more challenging. “I kept comparing everything to my home currency. A gallon of milk was four dollars, but back home it cost about 400 rupees.”
Unable to work off campus during his first academic year, Arora took a job as a driver for Student Nighttime Auxiliary Patrol (SNAP) with University Police and immersed himself in the culture and events at UWA’s International House, where he often cooked Indian dishes and helped host events. “Having friends—both international and American—really helped me adjust,” he said.
Eager to support himself once he became eligible for off-campus work, Arora began to fine-tune his resume. He turned to ChatGPT, which generated a short list of companies with potential openings related to his education and experience. One such company was ABB, a global corporation with offices in Memphis. Soon he was on his way to an interview and later secured an internship designing eLearning modules.
“I think it was my broad experience that interested them,” he said.
That experience began during his undergraduate studies in computer applications at Vidyapeeth, Delhi, India, where he redesigned banners for a local shop, started posting his designs on Instagram, and launched a social media marketing start-up called Blue Hounds with three friends. He later designed content for the nonprofit Let’s Do It India and worked in motion design for a children’s book publisher—experience that eventually led him to instructional design.
Moving across the world did not rattle Arora, but it was difficult for his mother. “She worries all the time,” he said. “My father wants me to do everything I can to be successful.” This past Thanksgiving, he flew home for the first time since coming to the U.S., surprising his family. “My mom cried and cried,” he said. “My parents helped support me my first two semesters here, but after my internship I’ve been able to support myself and even pay for my own airline ticket. I even bought a car a few weeks ago. It felt good to be able to do that.”
Still, his visit home created unexpected emotions. “When I was here, I missed India,” he said. “But when I was finally there, I realized it was the people I missed—the feeling of being with them—not the place itself.”
When he returned to campus, he continued working at ABB part time, he resumed his job with University Police, and he earned a graduate assistantship with UWA International Programs, where he kept coordinating events for the International House, including celebrating Holi, the Festival of Colors. The vibrant Hindu festival celebrates spring love, and victory by throwing colored powders and water. “We made a mess, but everyone loved it and are eager to celebrate it again next March.”
Following his graduation during Fall 2025 commencement exercises, he will relocate to Virginia to live with his aunt and begin full-time employment with ABB through Optional Practical Training (OPT), a temporary employment work authorization that permits international students to work in their field of study for up to one year.
His role at ABB blends everything he has learned. “I work with subject matter experts on complex systems and break the information down into eLearning modules,” he explained. “I use my design skills, my understanding of how people learn through my classes here at UWA, and even coding when something needs fixing that I learned as an undergrad in India. It’s the perfect fit for me.”
For now, Arora is ready to step fully into corporate life. “I like the 8-to-5 hours,” he said. “Back home it’s more like 8-to-8 or 10-to-9—you get home when you get home just to do it all over again.” He added, “U.S. work culture “offers a better work-life balance.”
Looking ahead, Arora hopes to pursue a Ph.D., possibly at North Carolina State University, and eventually build a career in instructional design. “And if I get a really good opportunity, I’d like to stay in the U.S.,” he says. “I’d love for my brother to come here too, preferably to UWA. That would be great.”