Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

It's not something that can be summed up in one line, it's too life changing. Past Review

By (Global Studies, Providence College) - abroad from 02/02/2013 to 05/16/2013 with

SIT Study Abroad: India - Sustainable Development and Social Change

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Then entire experience is wonderful and you learn so much about yourself and others. You gain more through life experience than in a formal classroom and I believe that everyone should push themselves outside their initial comfort zone and go abroad.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The staff was phenomenal and always helpful. I had a great experience with them.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

They really listened to our housing requests and surveys, I was incredibly satisfied with my host family.

* Food:

Don't eat the street food, and you have to be careful that everything is cooked fully. But I did enjoy the food.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Although I wasn't really sick during the program, they took good care of those that did get sick.

* Safety:

Be careful of street harassment and don't travel alone after dark; but on the day to day I felt safe in Jaipur.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

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)

India is very affordable on a student budget, especially with the stipends the program supplies.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Probably the equivalent of 5-10US dollars.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Just budget more than you initially plan for, it's always better to go under budget than over.

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

One of the second common languages is English,so you can get around pretty well with it. Then, I did my ISP in South India, so Hindi wasn't even spoken there.

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? I had no training in Hindi.
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? Don't let the fact that most people speak some English get in the way, try and practice the Hindi.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • The people you get to interact with, both American students and locals.
  • Learning about the different culture.
  • ISP
* What could be improved?
  • The language program.
  • Getting students more involved in the surrounding community.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known more about the diversity of India.

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'