Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Blast in Bylakuppe Past Review

By (Humanities, Music emphasis, Brigham Young University) - abroad from 05/08/2012 to 08/23/2012 with

Brigham Young University: Bylakuppe - India-Tibetan Community

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was completely worthwhile - the people I met and things I learned are unforgettable. The Tibetans are wonderful hosts, and Bylakuppe is a perfect place to experience undiluted culture, free from tourism and facades.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

We didn't have any!

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* 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)

* Was housing included in your program cost? No
* Was food included in your program cost? No
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Find housing by asking around, not by booking. Eat idli for breakfast - USD 0.20 ain't too shabby!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Other
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?
  • Freedom
* What could be improved?
  • If freedom is what I like the most, then not being made aware of that freedom earlier on is what I liked the least. The program should have put everything into the students' hands in the beginning, rather than pretending to help with housing, visa, PAP, etc.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Do it yourself! Don't wait for the school to do anything.