Varanasi: The Traditional Indian Experince Past Review
By Hannah B (Anthropology and Geography, University of North Dakota) - abroad from 08/20/2012 to 12/20/2012 with
IFSA/Alliance: Varanasi - The City, The River, The Sacred
I learned so much from this experience both about Indian culture and myself. At times, it was really difficult, but this taught me to be independent and handle stressful situations. Your global understanding will expand tremendously.
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 Alliance stresses academics and the classes often require quite a bit of reading and work associated with them. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administration is extremely concerned and involved. Sometimes too much so. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Living with a host family is an amazing experience that gives you an inside experience of Indian culture. |
| * Food: |
Program center meals are delicious and varied! |
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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? |
The administration were always very helpful with health issues. The one time I was very sick, I felt very supported and knew I could contact them for anything. |
| * 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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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 |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | None |
| 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? | Keep at it! No matter how bad you might be, keep using it. Don't let people simply revert to English with you! |
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? | Varanasi is a difficult city to live in. Expect some pretty drastic changes. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
