Home Away From Home: An Indian American's Journey Back to India Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The academics were not very rigorous overall and it was complicated getting access to readings.

On-site administration of your program

The residential program directors were all absolutely incredible!

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The program was very accommodating to my needs as I wanted to do a homestay with my uncle and aunt. The international hostel on campus was not the most ideal environment because it was very far away from the actual city.

Food was always amazing! Afterall, it was Indian.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

As a person of Indian origin myself, I had no trouble fully integrating with the local culture - language, dress, food, friends, comfort, habits. I could pass for a local. Some people refused to believe that I was from America!

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I was a bit sick with a cold/flu at the beginning of the program and was taken to the best hospital in the area to have a check-up and to get medicines. The program resident staff were very caring and took care of my needs as well as those of my peers that I was aware of. For example, my roommate was concerned about rabies so she went to get the series of shots as a precautionary measure. Before leaving home, I got some malaria pills to prevent disease but ended up stopping them since it wasn't really the season for mosquitos.

Overall, safety was not a huge concern for me but as in any large metropolitan city, there are dangers and crimes. I would recommend not traveling alone as a girl, especially at night. Beware of crowded places and public transportation.

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

I did not have too much of a hard time because costs for food and transportation were minimal. I did do a lot of shopping and some traveling which were the aspects that contributed to most of my spending.

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

Select all that apply

• Other
• Hotel
• Hostel

Select all that apply

• Americans
• International Students
• Other

Select all that apply

• Local Students
• Americans
• International Students

• The people I met; my fellow study abroad friends, the local friends I made, the resident staff, the faculty, and my relatives.
• The places I got to see, especially the Golden Temple in Amritsar.
• I'm glad I took the classes that I did.

• There is always room for improvement in classes in terms of challenge, as well as offering more courses that international students would benefit from.
• I don't think the international hostel is necessarily the best place for students to live. It is too far removed from the city proper and therefore secludes them from many valuable experiences.
• I think the group trip could be improved if the resident staff considered taking students to other cities and revamping the activities scheduled for everyone.

The Nearly Native or Trail Blazer