Hajmola Past Review

By A student (Middlebury College) - abroad from 07/14/2019 to 11/21/2019 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Delhi

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I learned a lot about myself. I discovered new hobbies and interests. I made some really good friends who I still keep in touch with. I learned a lot more than I ever did from my euro-centric high school curriculum. With that said, I did a lot of self-learning. I pushed myself to take on academic hobbies. The freedom gave me liberty to study what interested me, therefore being able to fully immerse myself into a subject.

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
* 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 I would chose to participate in this program over and over again. I can say I was prepared, but in all honestly, there is no learning about an experience from word of mouth or past experiences. At the core of it, you have to experience it for yourself. There will be struggles--for some folks there will be more--but know that that is an inherent part of growth. However, it is important to have a clear sense of self, for example knowing your boundaries. Don't put yourself through experiences you are not prepared for, but don't sell yourself self short of what you are capable of.

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)
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	$50
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Be sure to budget! Keep in mind that local food and necessities tend to be at a lower price, but cafes and brand name shops are as expensive as the States.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component?	Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language? 0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program?	None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program?	Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure?	45 hours of Hindi
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Apartment
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	International Students
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	Local Students
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?	Friends I met Traveling Historical sites
* What could be improved?	Support from Middlebury College
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	Nothing. As I said early, there's no way to "learn" about an experience. And to an extent, it is difficult to adequately prepare yourself. You will experience things you never predicted, but with that said, it is also important to have a somewhat clear sense of self, for example knowing your boundaries, and how much that aligns with the situation you will be putting yourself into.

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 Avid Adventurer The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.