Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Amazing India! Summer Study Abroad Past Review

By (Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management., SUNY Purchase) - abroad from 05/28/2012 to 07/01/2012 with

SUNY Purchase: Dharamsala - Summer Faculty-Led Program to India

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned that I could still be very happy without all of the modern conveniences of home. Definitely worth while.

Personal Information

If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: Tibetan Buddhist Philosophy, Tibetan Thangka Painting
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Excellent experience overall, but classrooms need more tools. Our philosophy classroom did not have a white/blackboard for the professor to write on.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I felt very safe.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The housing was good, but by the end of the trip a few things were missing from my personal belongings. They did not have a high dollar value, but they were souvenirs that I really wanted to take home.

* Food:

The food that was provided was very repetitive. There should be fewer organized group meals at the institute because their menu is very limited. The food that we were able to go out and get on our own was much better, more variety.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Young women should not visit the Tibetan doctor near the institute! His idea of what is appropriate is very different than anything I have ever experienced, anywhere in the world.

* 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)

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? Yes
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Not quite sure, but very little. Less than I would have spent at home.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* 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? 10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The local culture
  • The course material
  • Beautiful landscape, the mountains.
* What could be improved?
  • Food
  • More opportunities to see professional traditional artistic performances, plays, concerts, etc.
  • Classroom equipment
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Nothing really, I like the unexpected.

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.'