Truly studying in India Past Review
By A student (Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/04/2018 to 04/20/2018 with
FLAME University - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
Making personal connections here was the most valuable part of my experience. The program was more academic in nature, but being able to make friends was the best part of it. I also gained so many insights into living in a particular part of India, about how India is seen in the eyes of young people my age, about real hard-hitting issues facing this country, about food culture -- among many other things. I genuinely appreciate this for it gave me a better understanding of what India is like, while appreciating the diversity of this country. As I pursue an internship in India right now, what I've learnt from my time on exchange has become even more helpful.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The courses I was taking was in their liberal arts program, and those courses were mostly really well thought out -- I wanted courses that were more India-specific or dealt with issues in the Indian context, and FLAME was so great for that. There are group projects for many of the courses I took, and that helped me to get to know more students from FLAME too! However, I thought some of the assessments were asking a little too much for the grades that they were worth, and there were also really quite many assessments that I thought were unnecessary to reinforce learning. Class time could also be used better, but that varies from professor to professor. |
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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? |
The housing is really great - I was in a double room that comes with an en-suite bathroom and air conditioning, which was such a luxury for me. |
| * Food: |
The food can be somewhat spicy (pepper and other spices!) for a more sensitive stomach, but they can accommodate special requests if you let them know in advance. It is also a fully vegetarian campus, so this might be hard for some, but it wasn't for me. You can get really good non-vegetarian food quite easily off campus though! There's also a good number of cafes on campus which is good for a change up in your daily meal. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I was on campus a lot, but my friends brought me out to the city much, and I got to try a lot of local food! The people here are really warm, friendly, and welcoming -- so I integrated quite well. I wish I could have explored Pune more through a cultural lens through programs with the college though. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had an upset stomach twice, but it was not so bad till I really had to go to the on-campus infirmary, especially as I had brought my own diarrhoea medicine. However, students did offer to call the infirmary and get me medicine from the infirmary, so I was quite well-taken care of -- community support is strong. I also got electrolyte/sports water very easily from the provision shop on campus to replace lost fluids! I would advise students to just carry some medicine for tummy troubles just in case, especially if you know you have a more sensitive stomach. |
| * Safety: |
Pune is a safe city for the most part. Just take the usual precautions, and also -- Uber and Ola work really well to take you back from the city to the college (which is in Lavale, in the middle of a valley area). I only went out with friends too, which really helps! |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
FLAME University offers a priceless experience in really getting to study together with local students about issues in India and beyond. This is something I could never get at my home university, and I truly appreciate the experience. |
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) |
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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If you eat on campus, you will save a lot of money. If you head off campus for food, that's where personal expenses will start increasing. In general, you can get really good food for inexpensive prices by US standards though. Just ask the students! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | Being more personally adventurous is important -- I could have explored the city a lot more on my own on weekends, but I did not take advantage of that. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
