India Study Abroad Past Review
By Riane M (Magazines and News/Internet, Drake University) for
AIFS: Hyderabad - University of Hyderabad
Very worthwhile. I learned about class, poverty, religion, East vs West, being the other, and being noticed. It's impossible to blend in India, and you can either take advantage of that or let it bother you. I learned how to deal with people different from me and learn from them. I saw the flaws we have as an American society and the good things we do, too. I learned that everyone has their own problems, but to face them head-on is the best way to conquer them. I learned about myself and what I was capable of, and how to get out of my comfort zone and be a part of something bigger and better than what I was used to.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | University of Hyderabad |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Teachers were often late or cancelled class for no apparent reason. The grading system was easy and unorganized, but very open-ended, so we got to choose the content of our tests and assignments, and even the final exam date. I don't feel like I learned as much in the classroom as out of it, and I was often disappointed by the professionalism of my teachers. They seemed not to take much interest in our education or viewpoints. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Sumana is wonderful. She is always available and helpful. She is very knowledgeable about both Indian and American cultures and makes the transition as smooth as possible. She is very detail-oriented but fun and hilarious. She has great activities and even invites you to her home to hang out with her family for the afternoon. She is the best director in Hyderabad, out of all the programs I came across. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Tagore International Hostel. It is clean, convenient, equipped with wi-fi and easily accessible to all academic buildings. <br /><br /> No chance to improve foreign language skills, but I did enjoy living in the international hostel. I wish we weren't so isolated and could interact more with Indian college students. |
| * Food: |
Same food every week. Little variation. Not great quality, and not extreely Indian. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Too many to name. All our travels were memorable and interesting for different reasons. My favorite AIFS trip was to Ajanta and Ellora. We stayed overnight and saw some of the oldest and largest buddhist and hindu complexes in the world. Stayed in a nice hotel too. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
I felt very safe. India seems scary but it's not. I didn't have any healthcare issues, so I don't know about the system. Malaria pills are useful, Hepatitis shots and tetanus. |
| 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) |
|
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | It's hard to say no to the deals on the street. Don't impulse buy too much and don't buy everything you want at the beginning of your trip. Shop around. Also, don't think in terms of dollars, because even though a meal costs less than $4, Rs.200 is a lot to the people of India. Save money for travel. |
Language
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
|
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Stay open to everything and everyone you come across. Trust people but be wary (some may be trying to cheat you for money or international status). But learn something from everyone and get out of your hostel as often as possible. Don't stay cooped up. Go do things, meet people and keep your eyes open. Follow little adventures. Sometimes walking through a non-touristy village can be the highlight of your time in India. It has a way of showing you things it wants you to see. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
SIP Kuchipudi Dance |
| Course Department: | NA |
| Instructor: | Aruna |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | Easily my favorite class. We learned traditional South-Indian dance in the common room of our hostel, and gave a performance at the end of the year. Teacher was extremely knowledgeable, funny and informative. I participated as fully as possible. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | No. It transfers as an arts and sciences credit for me. |
| Course Name/Rating: |
SIP Yoga Theory and Practice |
| Course Department: | NA |
| Instructor: | Yashoda Thakore |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | Very calming course. Teacher sometimes cancels class or doesn't show up or is late, but she is very interested in the betterment of her students. A very loving person and informed on a number of things, she is a great person to learn yoga from. I felt more relaxed, engaged and informed after taking this class. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | Again, transfers as arts and sciences. |
| Course Name/Rating: |
SIP Indian Philosophy |
| Course Department: | NA |
| Instructor: | Dr. Prasad |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | A brief overview of all the schools of Indian philosophical thought. A little rushed and hard to follow (knowing Sanskrit would make this class much easier) but a good introductory course. Professor is very animated and excited about the subject. Tests and papers are completely of your own choosing. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | no |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Women studies in India |
| Course Department: | SIP |
| Instructor: | Dr. Rekha Pande |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | Haphazard and unorganized. Professor had very little respect for Western students and taught with a series of pre-used slideshows. She often cancelled class. If you don't regurgitate what she has taught you, she dismisses your ideas. Little room for free thinking in this class. Subject material, however, was very interesting. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | no |
