Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

An adventure that was both challenging and rewarding - Brown in India Past Review

By (English and American Literature, Middlebury College) - abroad from 06/14/2012 to 11/30/2012 with

Study Abroad Programs in India

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained a sense of independence and cultural immersion, a sense of self and self-respect, and amazing friends I will have my whole life. I loved India so much as a culture. I wouldn't do the program again only because I think that Delhi is one of the worst locations in India, and other programs in different cities would be more fun. However, I did like being at St. Stephen's because I made great friends.

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:

Delhi just isn't safe, there's nothing Brown could have done about that.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? probably 500 rupees a week, if not much more
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Don't eat out

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? I had never taken Hindi before
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 lots of autowallahs! And people in service. They'll appreciate it and it will help.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
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?
  • My friends
  • Indian culture
  • Indian food
* What could be improved?
  • More integration with locals
  • Living in a better area
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Don't get in a relationship before going abroad.

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.'

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Modernism
Course Department: English
Instructor: Natasha Vashisht
Instruction Language: English
Comments: No, it was not challenging. Our teacher spewed information at us that we were expected to repeat back to her in essays. There was no critical thinking, discussion, or student opinion. Vashisht knew what she was talking about most of the time, but she was not concerned with academic discovery, only with hearing herself talk.
Credit Transfer Issues: No