The World Upside Down- Bangalore India Past Review
By Rachel Z (Liberal Studies, Carlow College) for
USAC India: Bengaluru – Culture, Society, and Global Perspectives
I learned about myself and challenged myself every day. I learned what the term international meant in a real way and I was able to appreciate the way I was brought up and the place I live now.
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. |
I think that when you've spent so much time at a home university it is difficult to learn from another one. Especially a foreign one, so the classes I think were my least favorite part of studying abroad. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They were really there for you and they planned activities that were fun and useful for the area. They were very prominent as the program started and we got more used to the country they backed off which was nice. Plus they would have jumped over the moon for you if you needed it. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Extremely safe with a curfew, guards, gates, and all women on campus after 9pm. All our necessities were taken care of and I never wanted for anything. It was clean safe and affordable. |
| * Food: |
The campus food was amazing and Bangalore has so many places to eat that you never needed to eat somewhere twice. And all of it tasted good and different. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We went to Ooty one weekend and to Parley the biscuit factory another. Other than that we went to a few clubs and shows during the week. There was also an arts festival going on at campus during the day so that was fun. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I think the city as a place can be dangerous. But as long as you are aware and never travel anywhere alone until you know the expectations ahead of you, you should be fine. And be ready to get sick at least once from food or water. And always drink filtered water and never eat food thats cold or from a shady location. |
| 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) |
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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
Everyone spoke English but learning Kannada was helpful and exciting. The numbers especially, plus it helped as an ice breaker for meeting new people. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Let yourself change. You cannot think like an American in an Easter country. Adapt and think like an Indian and you will become one. Trust me its worth it. |
