Life-changing, eye-opening and my heart got bigger! December 06, 2025
By A student (Global Public Health, Boston College) - abroad from 08/26/2025 to 12/08/2025 with
SIT Study Abroad: India - Public Health, Gender, & Sexuality
I feel like my mind was constantly active every day, you’re learning something new about yourself every day. You’re in a new environment you’re across the world and you give yourself the space to grow, to fall, to lean on your support systems here. Everyone will be there to catch you if you fall. But I do know that they were also there to support my growth just as much.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
This program was academically rigorous and truly challenged me in so many different ways. I see the world so much more differently and with a bigger heart and a more curious mind. I also had the opportunity to study independently and a role part of India for the last month to research a topic that I am very passionate about. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The support by the Program staff truly surprised me, I felt very loved and encouraged to apply myself in all areas of my life. Although this is a new and most likely more challenging study abroad experience, it was so rewarding, and the administrative staff have always been there when I needed them the most or even the least, to just laugh with them. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
For a majority of this program, I was in a homestay experience. Communication is always key wherever you go, living with a new family for three months, requires you to have an open mind and an open heart. I truly had such a life-changing experience and truly connected with my host family, they make my heart so happy. I truly enjoyed my home stay experience |
| * Food: |
I honestly fell in love with the food, I don’t even wanna go back home and not eat Indian food every day. I truly did enjoy trying new different foods, and if something looks different, try it because it might be your favorite meal here. I would just say to stay away from the street food, you do want to ensure that there is cleanliness when your food is being prepared, however, everywhere that we went, our food was Cooked so professionally and clean, especially at the Program center |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I would say my experience with the culture, completely transcended after I learned and apply myself in my Hindi classes. Learning the local language, just makes your experience so much more fun and immersive. I felt so loved by the people here. As a woman of color I definitely stood out in crowds however, I was always looked at with very kind and loving eyes. Because For most people, it might be the first time that they see someone who looks like me. However, I still felt just as deeply loved. I remember a time when a little child looked at me and squinted his eyebrows, it just made me laugh. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Coming to India, your body might be adjusting to the foods in the environment, I did fall sick however I feel like that’s with any new environment in you explore around the world. The program staff accompanied me to the hospital, the insured of my safety, they even checked in afterwards to make sure that I had all the nutrition that I needed. I honestly received so much princess treatment and felt very cared for especially getting sick across the world. You will definitely be cared for. |
| * Safety: |
The program staff really equip you to be able to navigate Delhi safely for your next three months and also when you guys travel around India. You also do you have a curfew just to ensure your safety at night, however, I never felt like that limited my experience because I would always go out and have fun with my cohort friends here. I felt so safe and also solo traveled to Rishikesh India for my long weekend. I had such an amazing time and even the Program staff would check in with me while I was there to ensure my safety. But I honestly felt very safe navigating and traveling around India because the Program truly acquit me to be able to navigate it with ease. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I truly evolved and grew as a person during this semester abroad. The program staff were my favorite part of the program. I would do it 1000 times again. Don’t let anyone stop you from traveling the world! India is so diverse, expansive, and I truly felt so safe during my program year. You are well equipped, prepared and even have the opportunity to travel around India during your time there! On top of that, you get to delve into a research topic of your choice that you’re passionate about for the last month of the program. I made so many connections and friendships that I will cherish with all my heart. It was academically thought-provoking and I look at the world with bigger heart and more curious mind. Don’t second guess it, apply to this program with SIT in India!!! |
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) |
Coming to this part of the world your foreign currency might go a long way. Me coming from the United States I traveled with much ease and everything was super affordable. I would say you’re also given a stipend each time you have to travel to the Program center, and every time you travel for your excursions. I would say I thoroughly survived off of this stipend money and barely had to pull from my personal savings account. You will have big luxury meals for probably $20 at most. Most of the time I went to a café and my meal was three dollars. I was truly able to live on the student budget here. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $20 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I would say to be wise about your spending, even though your currency might go along way you still want to be wise about how you budget and use your money. I know I had a great time shopping so definitely come with your luggage half packed. For general money, saving tips I would say try to use your stipend money for what it’s purpose is, I would sometimes use my travel expenses to get new outfits, but you’ll be fine. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
I was super encouraged to speak Hindi here, everyone at the Program center is so excited to hear you speak Hindi and immerse yourself within the language. At your home experience you also have the opportunity to speak Hindi in every day encounters, you have opportunity, speak Hindi, so I say, just fully immerse yourself in the language Because it also does make your time here a bit easier. |
| 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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Intermediate French |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | I would say to fully participate in your Hindi classes, they give you ample opportunities to practice the language and fully emerge yourself with it. Don’t be anxious before coming here. You will be well prepared with everything that you need once you get here even down to the language. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? | 10+ |
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? | Pack light, I repeat pack light, I repeat only pack half of your suitcase. If you’re a shopper like me, go to Shree in Kalkaji. Be aware that most healthcare and immunization needs are free in India. Just be patient with your emotions, bring a journal and a pen. Don’t get international plans, just make sure that your SIM is unlocked and then you can get a SIM when you get here, it’s a part of the program you can get a Sim for your phone, so don’t worry about 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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
