A Truly Life-Changing Experience September 18, 2024

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The program was amazing and catered to different study abroad goals. I feel that learned a great deal while still having time to explore a new culture and city. There was a great balance of learning inside and outside the classroom. I think the most formative experiences were definitely the experiential learning components from conducting research in Ladakh to participating in tihar celebrations in Helambu. I certainly learned far more than I anticipated coming into the program, from the plight of Tibetan refugees to climate change in the Himalayas and traditional architecture. Regardless of your interest, you'll likely cover something related to your academic focus in the program and the staff are willing to go above and beyond to encompass diverse cohort interests. The course titles make the program appear far more narrow than it actually is.

On-site administration of your program

The administration at Yantra House was awe-inspiring in their devotion to the students and was attentive to our emotional needs in adapting to homestay families and a new culture. Everything was well coordinated, from homestays to executions. The staff were readily available to help with anything from the academic to the personal. Among the staff, they possess a great wealth of wisdom and knowledge, and I wish I had picked their brains more often.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I loved my host family and remain in contact with them loosely. The housing is modest but sufficient. My host family was amazing in accommodating my dietary requirements.

The food was great and my host family did an amazing job accomodating my dietary requirements. Initially, I struggled to adjust to my host family's diet because it's a lot more grain-based than my own.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

My host family played a big part in helping me feel socially integrated. Of course, I probably spent the majority of my time with other study-abroad students, many of whom have become very close friends. However, the excursions helped further our cultural integration as we got to work and socialize with local students.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I didn't have experience of needing any healthcare during my time in Nepal. Many of my friends who were sick were very well cared for.

Kathmandu is like any city and so it's good to take the usual precautions. I feel that this is something we were well briefed on during the orientation. As a woman, I definitely had experiences of feeling slightly uncomfortable by catcalls from men. That being said, Kathmandu is easily the safest city I've ever traveled to or lived in. I felt comfortable walking around at night.

It's hard to summarize how much I gained from the program, from lifelong friends and mentors to truly incomparable experiences like residing with host families on the Tibetan plateau in India. The program was easily the highlight of my undergraduate education. It feels surreal to look back at the diversity of experiences that were encompassed in a few months.

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

I honestly didn't spend that much on personal expenses as I came with a whole host of supplies. I did spend a lot on gifts, books etc. The majority of my expenses came from eating out with friends which is definitely cheaper than the US.

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

The program was very vocal in encouraging us to practice Tibetan. My host mother didn't speak much English, so this was also a great incentive for me to actively utilize what I was learning in the classroom. I really enjoyed the afternoon language partner discussions. Of course, the language instructor isn't going to check up on you to see that you're actually speaking the language outside the classroom. Like most things in life, how much effort you put in determines how much you get out. There are ample opportunities to speak the language and it's worth doing so.

Select all that apply

• Host Family
• Hotel
• Hostel

Select all that apply

• Americans
• Host Family

Select all that apply

• Americans

• excursions
• friends
• homestay

• independent study stipend
• longer excursions

The Avid Adventurer