If You Want to in Study India- Go to Pune! Past Review
By A student (Philosophy., Georgetown University) - abroad from 01/20/2014 to 05/13/2014 with
IFSA/Alliance: Pune - Contemporary India
Studying abroad was definitely worth it. I learned about Maharasthran culture, international relations in South East Asia, particularly about the USA's relations with India, plus I learned about myself- my strengths and weaknesses as a person- especially in communication!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The academic experience was enriching, engaging and edifying. The texts were rigorous, the professors were challenging, and the conversations encouraged intellectual exploration. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
One word: love! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family treated me better than my own family. They were so genuinely caring, and interested in conversing and getting to know each other, learning with each other. |
| * Food: |
Despite an irrational skin rash, I ate with gusto, because every food was new for me, and was very yummy. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Home remedies for the win! Though I did find myself going to many doctors whose examination techniques were different than I am used to but who deduced my problems accurately, I ultimately found home remedies worked better for me than any other type of medication, and I tried many. I would say, keep an open and experimental mind regarding healthcare. |
| * Safety: |
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| 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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I probably spent about $30 a week. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Only buy what you really want/ can and will use. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| 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? | Beginner |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Practice, practice, practice, and watch Hindi movies and films. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I would have known more Marathi. |
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 LinguistYou 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! |
