The episode with Kyle testing for KOI was based on the Indian Institute of Technology, the premier engineering and science university in India, and one of the most elite schools in the world. The students at IIT frequently use MIT and Stanford as their backup schools (at least until ICE banned them from coming to the US).
The fun and games on Artisan Venture is based on a lifetime of cruising with my wife. Despite all the various issues we’ve had over the years, my wife loves cruising. Happy wife, happy life!
Enjoy!