An Indian Summer Past Review
By Samantha G (Education, Sociology, Brandeis University) for
IFSA/Alliance: Pune - Contemporary India
I definitely became a much more culturally sensitive person and gained an interesting perspective on the fields of education and sociology. The program is challenging and allows you to gain work experience while learning about Indian history and culture.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The grading system was pretty easy. The Contemporary India professor taught at an American University and was aware of our needs. Each participant was placed in an internship according to our academic and professional interests. We took class every morning and went to our internships in the afternoon. The program provided support and made sure our experiences would be relevant and meaningful. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program was very well organized. It was a small program, but we were afforded plenty of opportunities to meet more people outside of the program. The staff was accessible and helpful, they ensured our safety and had our best interest at heart. They arranged many programs for us and tried really hard to make our experience incredible. Sometimes the staff treated us like we were campers, but other than that they were great. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Housing was great, our apartment complex was gated with a security guard. I lived with three American students and two Indian students hosted by a single mother who ran a girls hostel. We had to buy a few things, but most home items were provided and our host mom showed us all around the city. Our roommates were excited to talk to us and learn about life in the US and share the details of life in India. |
| * Food: |
Food was very spicy, Indians cook very flavorful meals! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We took many field trips with the programs and saw a lot of the local attractions. We also went to a festival and had the option of participating in a trip every Saturday. The program made sure that there were Indian students there to share the experience with us and also provided dinner on most occasions. It was a great way to see Pune. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
The program arranged doctors visits when needed. I felt pretty relatively safe, but it is important to be aware of your surroundings in India. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | India is a great place but takes a "go with the flow" attitude. Everything happens late and people are very relaxed. It is a completely different society and it is impossible to ignore the stark contrast between the US and India. Summertime in India is rainy season, and although it was wet outside, everything was in bloom and incredibly colorful. It was a beautiful country with the most hospitable people you will ever meet. On this program you get the benefit of hands on work in your field of interest and truly get to see all strata of Indian society. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Contemporary India |
| Course Department: | SOCI 360 |
| Instructor: | Professor Paranjape |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | The course was very relevant to our Indian experience. We learned about Indian society and the challenges its citizens face. We were able to better understand the social context of the country which gave the trip more depth. Our assignments required us to communicate with Indian students which was really valuable. The professor was well-prepared and knowledgeable and encouraged participation. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
