Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

True Public Health Experience in Manipal Past Review

By (Public Health, University of Massachusetts Amherst / UMass) - abroad from 08/12/2014 to 12/05/2014 with

IFSA/Alliance: Manipal - Global and Public Health

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about public health, especially in the global context. This program was the start of my international global health interest and it only further inspired me to continue.

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.

Classes not very difficult to the point where you couldn't do them, but they were still challenging enough to make it interesting.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Absolutely loved the fact that there was a director on site from the US

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I had a single and I liked it a lot. I even had my own personal bathroom.

* Food:

Dining hall food was okay, but eating out and restaurants was much better quality

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Not many opportunities for integration with local culture

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

The university provided students with health insurance, and my health insurance from home also covered me as well.

* Safety:

I felt generally safe around the area, but I did not go out at night alone.

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)

India is super cheap!

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

You could use Hindi if you wanted to, but most people could speak English pretty well.

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? None
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? None
How many hours per day did you use the language? 0

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • N/A
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
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?
  • Director on site
  • Public health field visits
  • Directed research component
* What could be improved?
  • integration in local culture
  • more opportunities to meet locals
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Cannot think of anything

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!