Fascinating but Lonely Past Review
By Charlotte B (Finance and Financial Management Services., Fordham University) - abroad from 01/18/2012 to 04/30/2012 with
University of Mumbai: Mumbai - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I have always been independent, but I learned to really be alone. It was worthwhile for the cultural learning, but Mumbai is a tedious city to get around because of the crowded public transportation and constant traffic, so you often get extremely bored and lonely. I did learn to appreciate the beauty of the religious faiths that are in harmony in India.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
|
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
|
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
|
| * Food: |
Food is all fried, non-nutritional carbohydrates in area around school, unclean preparation, little non-vegatarian choices, or anything of nutritional value. Very difficult to access areas that have international cuisine. I am currently getting rid of a parasitic infection I obtained in India, I have been suffering since my first month there with symptoms. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
|
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Broke my toe and was given x-ray, bandage, etc. Doctors are easy to come by as are pharmacies. You should be extremely cautious with food and water while living there, many instances are unpreventable, though. I did get parasites from the water, food quality which I am still suffering from, currently on an antiprotozoal medication to rid myself of them. Caused weight gain, fatigue, upset stomach, skin infections, etc. A large price to pay for visiting the country. |
| * Safety: |
Mumbai is extremely safe as long as you are cautious. There are always people around, at all hours of day and night. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
|
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 extremely inexpensive for food, paper goods, transport, housing, etc. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $30 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Make sure you look for export quality goods, most things you find at street vendors (jewelry, clothing, scarves, etc.) is very poor quality. Even though it is cheap, it will not last more than one use. Better to spend a little more for beautiful, long-lasting things. |
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 |
|
| 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? | None 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? | People will probably recognize that you don't speak Hindi immediately and will use English with you, so it can be hard to practice. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | That I was the only international student in my program, how little international cuisine there was in the area near the school, how harmful parasites would be. |
