Summer in India, a Vegetarian's dream! The Anthropological Field School in Mumbai Past Review

By (Environmental Studies., Ithaca College) for

Study Abroad Programs in India

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
An appreciation for where and what I come from, a global outlook on environmentalism and anthropology, and a passion to work towards clean water and poverty prevention.

Personal Information

The term and year this program took place: Summer 2009

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Denise Nuttall was an amazing professor and friend during our weeks of cultural overload.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

We stayed at the ADAPT hostel in Bandra Reclamation, Mumbai. It was down the street from Lilavati Hospital, a well known landmark. ADAPT was a school for disable children with three floors of bedrooms, a canteen and courtyard. <br /><br /> Our rooming was very simple which pushed us to spend more time exploring. Our rooms had private bathrooms with buckets for bathing, and some had private balconies.

* Food:

Vegetarian's dream!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I learned so much politically, musically, spiritually, and globally.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I had a migraine one day and was taken straight to the hospital to get checked out.

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)

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Bring money for eating out and shopping.

Language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
Language acquisition improvement?

We learned several Hindi phrases to use when greeting people, on the street and in auto-rickshaws.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans