An experience Past Review
By A student (Art History and Anthropology, Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/14/2013 to 05/07/2013 with
Study Abroad Programs in India
I think I really learned that I could push myself to live outside of my comfort zone and in a cultural that I was completely unfamiliar with.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Academically was rigorous enough for a study abroad experience, and overall it was a very academically positive experience. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Administration members were really great and supportive throughout the semester- Mia-ji and Sunita-ji are wonderful individuals and make a significant impact during my semester abroad. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I chose group homestay and it was an overall wonderful experience. |
| * Food: |
It was always really delicious, but I did get very ill a few times throughout the semester which was challenging. It was also difficult to get used to food that is so different than what I normally eat, but overall it was enjoyable. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I do feel as though I learned a lot more about Indian culture, but I did not feel entirely integrated during the semester because we had little contact with other Indians of our generation- most of my contact was with the rest of my program (mostly American students) and my host family- it was hard to make actual Indian friends unless you took classes at a nearby university. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The admins were extremely helpful and understanding whenever I fell ill during the semester, and it was very easy to go visit a doctor if necessary. |
| * Safety: |
I didn't always feel entirely safe during the semester, as it was quite difficult as a woman in Delhi to not feel unsafe in certain crowded areas and/or during evening hours. It definitely felt very different than what I am used to back home in America. |
| 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) |
It is very easy to live on a minimal budget- I spent most of my money on plane tickets during weekend trips and as gifts to bring back home. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $20-50 on food and approx. $50-100 on other expenses |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? | I wish I knew how emotionally and physically tiring it would be to live an entire semester in a country you are unfamiliar with- I think I was aware that I was going to have an amazing, indescribable experience but I wish I had heard others' experiences about how tiring and draining it can also be when living abroad in an unfamiliar place. Other than that, I think I was prepared to overall have an amazing experience 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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Cities of Delhi |
| Course Department: | Anthro/History |
| Instructor: | Harini-ji |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | Wonderful teacher, but assignments tended to sometimes be a little easy/ too close to busywork- friday field trips were really great experiences. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Indian Socio-Economic Developlment |
| Course Department: | Socio-econ |
| Instructor: | Hemanshu-ji |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | Class was unfortunately not enjoyable due to a really poor-quality teacher- he was incredibly inexperienced, rude, and tended to make assignments that were unnecessary, unhelpful to our learning, and tedious. I would not suggest taking this course unless the teacher was replaced by someone new. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
