India Eyeopening Environmentl Impact Past Review
By Amanda S (Environmental Science, Framingham State College) for
Study Abroad Programs in India
It was hard at first, however living the most sustainable lifestyle possible really made me think about how I live every day back at home, and made me become more concious of my lifestyle.
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. |
Living Routes is not a study abroad Program for everyone. you ar living in a community with about one hour of electricity a day, taking part in a reforestion project, contributing to community work, and basically roughing it. However, the experience is refreshing and eyeopening to those who care about and strive to conserve the planet and environment. This is a winter break program so you are only taking one class. The class is very loose and kinda goes with the flow. It is a mix of guest lecturers, class discussions, and day excurssions to different locations around the community. While it felt a little short, overall it was a very moving and enriching experience. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
|
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
We lived at sadhana forest, a vegan community. We lived in bamboo and straw, open wall huts. There were rooms divided by sheets walls. I shared one room with 3 other people from my program, however, overall there were probably about 40 people sleeping in our large hut. The beds were made out of intercrossed rope and bamboo with a thin matress and blankets on top and was covered witha bug net. |
| * Food: |
The meals are made by daily volunteers from the community. It is a strict Vegan diet, with no foods containing preservatives (to achieve highest sustainability). |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The trip is not so much about the culture of india, but the environmental achievments in the area. Hwever, you do take a couple of day excurssions into the surrounding town and city, and get to spend atleast part of the day exploring, shopping, and eating. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
Driving in India is always scary, However, we were always asked how we were health wise, and minor medical needs were available on the site. The hospital was always available is you had any drastic concerns or needs. We were also always kept tabs on and instructed on the safest ways to go about our free time, when we were not a part of the community or doing class activities. |
| 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) |
|
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Those who would benefit the most on this trip, are those who are majoring in Environmental science or studies, and those who care about and want to learn about saving the environment through sustainable living. |
