India makes you question everything you've ever known about yourself Past Review
By A student (Neuroscience and South Asian Studies, Wellesley College) - abroad from 08/29/2014 to 12/12/2014 with
SIT Study Abroad: India: Public Health, Policy Advocacy, and Community
It was worthwhile. I think that the fact that I knew so much about the culture before arriving made my experience all the more worthwhile. I learned so much about myself and the culture.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I would say that most of your learning was done outside of the classroom on field excursions and daily interactions. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program was extremely organized well. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was happy with the living arrangements. I really did not like the 9 pm curfew though. |
| * Food: |
The program's center food was excellent, but my host family did not provide me with an adequate breakfast and dinner. I oftentimes had to leave the house after only having a slice of bread and a cup of chai. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt really integrated. I spent a lot of time with locals. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The staff was very responsive to my health needs and concerns. |
| * Safety: |
I felt very safe in New Delhi. As long as you follow the program's rules, you will be safe. |
| 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) |
This depends on what you would like to do in Delhi and where you like the hang out. You need to know where to go to find good deals on clothes and food. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $30 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Do not spend a lot of time in the malls, but instead go to the markets (i.e. Lappet Nagar). NO PRICE IS FIXED (except at the mall)! Bargain. Vendors like to raise the price for foreigners, so make sure you don't get swindled. Try to use as much Hindi as you can...vendors are always impressed by that. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
Delhi is a difficult place to learn Hindi. Many people speak English, so the temptation is high. People speak English a lot, especially if you are a foreigner. Force yourself and others to speak Hindi if you really want to improve. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Fluent in Spanish, 200 level courses for French |
| 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? | Make Indian friends...they will be more than willing to help you out with your Hindi. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | That there was a 9 pm curfew! |
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 BlazerCraving 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.' |
