Unforgettable experience in Bodh Gaya Past Review

By (Religion, Wellesley College) - abroad from 09/24/2014 to 12/12/2014 with

Carleton Global Engagement: Buddhist Studies in Bodh Gaya, India

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Words can't do it justice. As a student of religion and political science interested in Buddhist practice, this program was an excellent fit. Living in a monastery and keeping up with the program's schedule requires considerable discipline but it is entirely worth it. As a result of living and studying within the heart of a Buddhist pilgrimage town I learned more about Buddhism and lived expressions of Buddhist practice than I could've anywhere else.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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

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)

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Bring only essentials (especially a first aid kit) and buy clothes, toiletries, etc while you are there.

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
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Other
* 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?
  • Focus that combined an academic approach along with opportunities for personal pracitice
  • Location (in Bodh Gaya, living in a monastery)
  • The friendships made on the program
* What could be improved?
  • Connections with people in the community: It wasn't difficult to form connections with people who live and travel in Bodh Gaya but it was difficult to find the time to do so because of the packed schedule in the monastery. It wasn't until the independent study period of the program that I felt more able to connect with people outside of the program.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Bring your own well stocked first aid kit including antibiotics. The program does a good job of connecting students with a reliable doctor but is a relatively rural area and access to health care is limited. I would also recommend checking in about your doctor's availability by phone just in case you need to get in touch for advice while you are abroad (It can be tricky with the time difference).