India in a Nutshell: ultimately Rewarding and awe-Inspiring! Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

There is less workload in the Marathi language class than a comparable foreign language class, although there are plenty of ways to find additional learning materials outside of the class. The elective courses vary greatly, although my own experience was very satisfying with the instructor giving us feedback punctually and giving excellent lecture sin English. Keep in mind that grade inflation has not occurred here yet. The Independent Study Project (ISP) component is by far the most satisfying - it takes a lot of initiative, planning, and creativity to do fieldwork when you are unfamiliar with the language and when there are a lot of reasons to think that you're tired and overwhelmed, but there is always a research guide to point out the right direction to you. Be prepared to work even when your laptop is not working as that might happen anytime and repairs might be costly or time consuming.

On-site administration of your program

Logistics of course materials are not as well organized as what you would expect in a regular American college, but people are always willing to help and listen. The local staff are always reachable by cell phone. Remember that getting simple things done in a different country, such as getting a textbook, often requires patience, initiative, and creativity.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Most young people will speak English, but conversations with adults are often enhanced by some knowledge of Marathi. Host families will always provide you with (lots of) food for breakfast and dinner, although how engaged they are with the students vary from one family to another. They are generally pretty relaxed, but coming back late at night would generate well-intended concerned looks and/or phone calls from host parents.

Be gentle with acclimating your digestive system, because getting sick is bound to happen at some point, so bring plenty of Pepto Bismol tablets for yourself and for your friends! But never miss the dosa-vendors on the streets, or the student-oriented canteens with plenty of Punjabi dishes to choose (NCC Canteen or Baba's), or the exquisite Marathi or Gujarati thali restaurants (Krishna or Shreyas).

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I formed a modest but useful network of scholars and students interested in the same cultural aspects of India (Hindu mythology and modern artistic interpretations thereof). Travelling alone or in small groups, especially during the weekends and the week-long travel break, will provide you with the opportunity to talk to local students as well as the local people. ACM invites guest speakers from many different fields (the IT industry, the arts, NGOs) who are extremely helpful and knowledgeable if you happen to interact with them.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Be careful when encountering large festival crowds as petty theft and minor harassment incidents often happen in such occasions. Otherwise, Pune is extremely safe, and I have walked many times at night in small groups. The ACM office staff always knows where the good clinics are, and medications are very affordable in India.

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

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• International Students

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• Americans

• The experience of academic fieldwork through independent study projects

• The ACM library