Learning to live (and love) Hyderabad Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

International students could choose between courses in the Study in India Program (designed specially for international students, and therefore not as rigorous) and courses in the different departments of the University of Hyderabad (quite demanding for the unfamiliar student). I took three courses through SIP and one in the UoH literature department; the literature course was a challenge, while the SIP courses flew by. The university itself does not offer many resources--the library is disorganized and the bookstore rarely carries the books you'll need--so it can be difficult to gather the necessary study materials. However, once you get what you need, the courses themselves are rewarding.

On-site administration of your program

The CIEE staff is warm and helpful, and they can offer several solutions to any problem you have. They create many opportunities for the students to excel in their studies and adapt to the Hyderabadi lifestyle.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in a homestay about five minutes from South Campus. I lived with a Hindi teacher in SIP and her young daughter (as well as another CIEE student) in an apartment complex in the village of Gopanpally. It was an incredibly rewarding experience for me, as my host family made me feel so welcome so quickly. I have heard very positive reviews of the other homestays from the students who lived in them, so I wholeheartedly recommend one.

I mostly ate at my homestay, where my host mother cooked the most delicious and authentic Hyderabadi cuisine. When I was on campus, I ate at the dining hall in the international hostel (where several other CIEE students stayed). The food (ranging from Indian to American and continental) was satisfying and plentiful, but got boring pretty quickly. In addition, there are several places on campus to order food (Gop's is my favorite) and meet Indian students.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

It is easy to remain in the bubble of UoH campus and SIP, but CIEE tries to push students outside of the international hostel and into the larger community. They sponsored classes in cultural arts (sitar, tabla, Bollywood dance and Kathak dance, henna) and brought us on field trips to local temples, volunteer opportunities, and landmarks. The homestays also helped to integrate students into the local culture.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Most students had the standard stomach problems, but as far as I know there were no major problems. CIEE issued an iNext card to every student, in the event that we would need to provide medical insurance during our time abroad.

There are several safety concerns in India nowadays, especially for female travelers, but during my time there I rarely felt unsafe. Hyderabad is an interesting place because it is a mix of traditional and modern society. However, there are still political and religious issues. In February 2013 there was a dual bombing in Dilsukhnagar (on the other side of the city from UoH), thought to have been enacted by the Indian Mujahideen. In addition, there was frequent protests relating to the Telangana movement (pushing to create a separate state from Andhra Pradesh, and which was recently approved) that upset traffic often. Regardless, I didn't feel like I was in danger at any point in Hyderabad. As long as you are aware of your surroundings and ready to react, you'll be fine. Of course, it is different in other Indian cities, depending on the current political, social, and religious climate. I recommend keeping on top of the news and traveling with friends, and for female students to be especially vigilant. You will be put in a number of uncomfortable situations, but if you are aware and active then there is little chance of them turning into dangerous ones.

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

The exchange rate from dollars to rupees is very much in our favor, so I had little trouble in managing finances. In addition, students living in homestays were given a monthly stipend for transportation to/from campus, money for lunch, etc. This stipend was more than enough for daily living expenses. I spent most of my own money (non-stipend) on personal things, like weekend trips around the country, souvenirs to bring home, and clothing. Having two meals a day in my homestay and traveling between campus and home, it was possible to spend less than $20 a week.

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

CIEE offered courses in Hindi, Telugu, and Urdu. I took beginner Hindi classes four days a week, in which we learned basics including the alphabet, pronunciation, and basic grammatical forms. We were encouraged to speak Hindi in class, as well as outside. However, it was easy to get by in class with a teachers and staff members who were fluent in English, as well as much of the Hyderabad population possessing some degree of English knowledge.

Select all that apply

• Host Family
• Apartment
• Hostel

Select all that apply

• Americans
• International Students
• Host Family

Select all that apply

• Local Students
• Americans
• International Students

• Freedom to choose courses of study and places to travel
• Location in central India
• Integration in Hyderabadi, Andhra, and Indian cultures (at once similar and distinct)

• Academic and extracurricular resources available at the University of Hyderabad
• More choices for cultural performing arts lessons
• Variety of SIP courses

The Nearly Native or Trail Blazer