Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The country is great-- the USAC program is not. Past Review

By (PSYCHOLOGY., Goucher College) - abroad from 08/27/2013 to 12/07/2013 with

USAC India: Bengaluru – Culture, Society, and Global Perspectives

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned more about myself and gained confidence in myself. I was put in crazy different environments that I had to adapt to on a whim. I never knew I was capable of so much!

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.

The academic standards at Christ University are a joke. Of the professors I had, only 3 of them were fair. The professors have no respect for the syllabus that THEY THEMSELVES create. Things are changed constantly, more assignments added on a whim without any consideration for the students and their current workload. Additionally, the professors NEVER provide any type of academic progress report. At the end of the semester they give you your grades--- SURPRISE! No one ever had any clue as to how they were doing during ANY of their classes. Well done, USAC professors at Christ. Well done.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Just adequate. You think the resident director cares about you, but as the program winds down, you start to notice that he indeed does not care. Also heard rumors of ripping students off? Not sure about that though.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The off campus apartments are nice, but it is ridiculous because there is a security guard and we are not allowed to have outside guests come into our apartment. Not to mention the guards fall asleep all the time. They specifically make beds so that they can sleep. Also, towards the end of the program, they started to lock the gate to ensure that the guards can get a good nights sleep! I tried to leave my apartment one night at 11:30pm to go out with a friend and the guard would not let me out of the gate because of the "time" implying it was too late! Too bad I'm an adult and can do what I want. Also, the guards speak basically NO English. you think USAC would hire people that speak a bit more English so they can properly communicate with the students whom they are supposed to be "protecting"

* Food:

Indian food is yummy. You have to feed yourself.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

India is wonderful and culturally engaging. LOVE IT!

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

N/A

* Safety:

Bangalore is very safe, even for women. As any other city, you should never be in the wrong place in the wrong time, however, overall it is a safe place to be!

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)

You can live cheap if you want, but I prefer to splurge.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $150.00

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* 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?
  • Food
  • Classmates
  • Location
* What could be improved?
  • Professors
  • Resident Director
  • Field Trips
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That the professors who teach the USAC students at Christ University are a JOKE.

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.