The best decision I ever made. Past Review
By Alexandra B (Religious Studies, Elon University) - abroad from 01/13/2014 to 05/03/2014 with
IFSA/Alliance: Varanasi - The City, The River, The Sacred
I am a completely new person after Varanasi. I had no idea how much it would expand on who I was spiritually, mentally and emotionally. I love so much deeper now and I feel I understand people on a totally new level. I became passionate about Indian culture and Hinduism, things I knew absolutely nothing about beforehand. I fell in love with my host family and friends, and I know I will return to grow even more.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Host families are great. You'll get used to no toilet paper and sweating a lot, but the relationships you build are so beautiful. |
| * Food: |
HOPE YOU LIKE SPICEY! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I actually became Indian. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Health was their number one concern. I could barely sneeze without my directors asking if I was okay. It was nice, since we are so far from home and comfort. |
| * Safety: |
Always travel in pairs. Never go anywhere alone. |
| 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) |
I am not very wealthy, but most everything in Varanasi is not expensive at all. You still need to be smart, don't buy every shiny thing you see. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Maybe 10 dollars. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't go out to eat too often; it will add up even though it's cheap, plus your host family really wants to spend time with you and eat dinner with you. |
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? | Intermediate |
| 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? | TALK TO THE LOCALS. Go talk to the washermen families, talk to the street vendors, talk to the Chai wallas. Talk to everyone!!!!!! That is exactly how I learned. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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 had known a little more about Hinduism, since it is so relevant in Varanasi especially. |
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.' |
