A Life-changing Semester in Pune, India with the Alliance! Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The Alliance for Global Education program in Pune, Maharashtra was one of the most formative and important educational and social experiences that I have had in my 17 years of formal education. The academic courses and the applied internship that I conducted via the Alliance provided a wonderful compliment to my double major in Environmental Science and Government at my home institution. What was most special for me about my time in India with the Alliance was that I really became a part of Indian culture, and made lasting friendships and connections with my Indian buddy, my host family, my internship boss, and fellow Alliance students. The rich Indian culture and these lasting friendships inspires me to return to India.

On-site administration of your program

The Alliance in the United States and in Pune are both extremely organized offices with staff people who are very kind, proactive, and responsible. Never once in my time prior to departing the USA for India, or while I was there, did I feel confused about logistics or unsafe. The Alliance staff in Pune were especially wonderful--taking care of all necessary logistics, but possibly more important, being tremendously supportive, welcoming, and understanding at all times. The program center (where the staff work) was a warm space that become like a second home for each of us.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived with a widow, whos two grown children live outside of Pune, along with another Alliance student, Ginny. Ginny and I shared a bathroom, but both had modest rooms of our own with a bed, table, chair, and closet. Our hostmom lived in a modest apartment which was located ~10 minutes via rickshaw from the Alliance program center and Fergusson College (where we took classes). We ate breakfast and dinner with our hostmom at the apartment and ate lunch independently (as did everyone else in the Pune program). Ginny and I were extremely satisfied with our living arrangements, and loved creating a strong bond with our hostmom, her friends, and neighbors.

I am a long-time vegetarian, so the Indian diet (almost completely vegetarian) was clearly not a difficult adjustment for me. By contrast, for the meat-lovers in my Alliance program, it was a bit more difficult. Also, students considering study abroad in India should be aware that Indian people (no matter what socioeconomic level), eat Indian food for every meal, everyday. While Indian food is incredibly delicious and fresh, as Americans who are accustomed to a plethora of culinary options, it can get a bit monotonous. It is important to recognize this before beginning the semester.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

For me, the most meaningful component of my study abroad experience were the connections I made and integration I made within the Pune community. I formed very close ties with my hostmom, my internship boss, the secretaries at my internship office, and my Alliance buddy. Not only are these lifelong connections, but it was very powerful for me to forge such meaningful relationships with individuals who live half-way around the world from my home/ where I grew up, who speak a different language than me, and who were raised in/ live in a culture extremely different from the one that I am accustomed to. The Alliance did a great job of helping me to become integrated in Pune culture, that by the time the four months were completed Pune felt like a second home to me.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I only had one health issue while I was in India--a minor stomach bug. I told the Pune-Alliance staff immediately and they made me a doctors appointment within 2 hours of my telling them. The doctor prescribed me antibiotics and I was fine within 24 hours. None of the other Alliance students on my program had any medical issues that needed anymore attention then a visit with a doctor.

I never personally felt unsafe during my time in Pune or India generally. That being said, I was careful and followed all the instruction and advice that our program director laid out to us during orientation and throughout the semester. A friend in my program had an uncomfortable interaction with a shop keeper that made her feel extremely unsafe. She called the director of Pune Alliance, Uttarra, who came to the shop immediately and reported the incident to the police.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

$100/week

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

I did not take the foreign language component that was offered.

Select all that apply

• Host Family

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• Host Family

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• Local Students
• Americans

• Homestay
• Internship
• Program staff

• Nothing

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