A Life-changing opportunity. Past Review

By (Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology, Mount Holyoke College) - abroad from 08/28/2015 to 12/13/2015 with

IFSA/Alliance: Varanasi - The City, The River, The Sacred

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I lost my fear of the unknown, learned how to be self-reliant, and am now ready to take chances. I am in control of my own life. It was WORTH EVERY STRUGGLE.

Review Photos

Alliance for Global Education: Varanasi - The City, The River, The Sacred Photo Alliance for Global Education: Varanasi - The City, The River, The Sacred Photo Alliance for Global Education: Varanasi - The City, The River, The Sacred Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

One of the best parts of the academic experience was that it was highly immersive. All classes, in addition to classroom time, included weekly excursions and field trips, which was excellent for contextualizing what we learned in the classroom. This was a very strong design. Our program director and assistant were always available for academic support, which was excellent. However, coming from a very rigorous college background, I found the difficulty of academics to be quite low. The homework load was definitely less than what I am used to.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

This program's director, Lara, is one of the most wonderful women I have ever met. She is incredibly supportive, and a perfect listener. I had many incredible conversations with her about the cultural experience I was having, and she was very sympathetic. She cared deeply about us as students, and on several days that I was sick, she personally escorted me to a hospital. Lara made the program as amazing as it was.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

This program does an incredible job of finding outstanding host families for students. All host families were loved by students, and I particularly loved my host family. All host families had at least one family member who spoke English, and almost all host families accepted the students into their homes with love. I felt like a family member, and would not change a thing about my living situation. All host families provided us students with a bedroom, bathroom, all meals that we didn't have at the program center, and a safe to hold our items.

* Food:

Indian food is fantastic. No complaints.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

It is difficult to integrate into Indian culture, as we stood out as foreigners at all times, and were treated as such. However, I felt very included in the sense that many Indian people were interested in talking to us, and we were invited to many cultural events by Indians themselves.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I was sick several times during this program, and it was handled very well. There is a private practice right next to the program center, so getting medical attention was very easy. There was one instance in which I had to go the hospital, and was escorted there by the director of the program. I felt very accommodated for in the hospital, and as a foreigner, was treated well. In India, the most prevalent health issue has to do with quality of the water and food, which if poor, can cause intestinal problems. These problems are not very serious, unless they are untreated. Because the problem is so common, there is very accessible and easy medical treatment in the form of antibiotics. I never had a problem with access to medicine.

* Safety:

Though India has a reputation for being unsafe, I never was put in any serious situations while there. The culture is different, so as a woman, I was treated differently than I would be in the United States. This was a source of discomfort for me, but I did not feel endangered in a serious way.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

This program changed my life. I do not take anything for granted anymore, and I have lost all fear about taking chances and challenging myself.

Finances

* 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)

India is a very inexpensive country. I am not wealthy, and I did not have any problem with managing my finances. This is one of the cheapest places to live abroad.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 10-15 american dollars.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Just be smart with your bills. Also, Indian ATMs usually charge a hefty fee for withdrawal so do not withdraw too many times in one month. When you withdraw, withdraw a large amount to keep in a safe place, and only carry a bit of money at a given time.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? French - 7 years
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Do not be afraid to practice and try!!! When you treat the program as Hindi immersion, it will definitely help with your acquisition.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Cultural Immersion
  • Travel
  • Challenges
* What could be improved?
  • Academic rigor
  • More focus on language
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known to speak the language more!

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'