Personal growth in a new experience Past Review

By (Siena College) - abroad from 01/22/2018 to 05/06/2018 with

KEI Abroad in Pune, India

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was worthwhike. I learned a lot about myself and where my professional career is going.

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.

Loved my classes, especially my internship and hindi class.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The administration at my program was helpful at times, but not as much as I would have liked.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I loved my host family.

* Food:

LOVEEEE!!! I am vegetarian so it was heaven.

* 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? No

I would not give up my experience for the world, I really enjoyed my experience, but if I could do it all over again I would have done more research for countries that may have been a better fit for me.

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)

I found it really easy to survive in pune on a student budget

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $75
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Make sure you are spending money on stuff you really want to do. And if that means eating dinner with your host family instead of getting dinner with friends then thats okay.

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

They encouraged us to use it when talking to waiters and rickshaw drivers, not really with people who knew english.

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? spanish honors 4 in high school
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? Talk to your host families.

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?
  • food
  • trips
  • internship
* What could be improved?
  • flexiblity
  • information about traveling
  • N/A
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? more current events going on in india

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 Networker
An active student leader, it was important for you to network abroad as well. Once overseas, you sought out student clubs, volunteered with local organizations, or attended community events. You encouraged your friends join you, and often considered how you could reflect your international experiences in a resume.