Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Challenging and Rewarding January 06, 2024

By (International Politics and Economics, Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/24/2023 to 12/08/2023 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was definitely worthwhile given the fact that I was able to learn so much about India as well as my personal connection to the country. I was able to travel a lot and learn so much about the different cultures within India as well. However, in terms of the program itself, it was very difficult to be so independent and not have the support.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Courses were mildly intense and allowed for exploration of the city. Some teachers were very kind while others struggled to teach effectively.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The administration was not very hands-on. It is an extremely independent experience where I had to figure out most of it alone.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in an apartment external from the program so I was very satisfied.

* Food:

Food in India is truly amazing if you enjoy those flavors.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I felt integrated with the local culture because of my own initiatives to meet people and to engage in traditional activities. However, we did not take classes with other students from the college we were attending so we did not feel part of the every day college life.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I unfortunately got a severe case of dengue while I was in India. I was admitted to the hospital. I do not feel that teachers were helpful when I returned and no information had been given to them about my hospitalization. There were several times during the trip where adults who were supposed to be on ground with us were not available and couldn't take other students to the doctor.

* Safety:

You need to be careful when walking around the city and taking necessary precautions but it is not extremely unsafe as long as you are being smart.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

Because things such as administration and organization have been poorly handled by USAC, I would have tried to find another program to go with.

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)

The rupee to dollar conversion is very weak, so it was very easy to manage my budget because of the low cost of living compared to the US.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Beginner
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Beginner
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? I would familiarize myself with some of the common phrases, so that in your first few days things don't feel unfamiliar. Additionally, because India has 22 nationally recognized languages, the local language is more important to learn than Hindi.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • N/A
* 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
  • Culture
  • The country
* What could be improved?
  • The program I went with
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known that India is definitely not the easiest or typical abroad experience. Depending on where you go, it can be absolutely incredible but it was definitely challenging at times and the things I enjoyed the most about abroad were opportunities I created for myself rather than the program supporting and helping me with them.

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.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Hindi I
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language:
Comments: My teacher struggled to support me during this class and did not do an excellent job of creating a good learning environment. The teacher made a couple of hurtful, personal comments during classes and she struggled to explain certain concepts of the foriegn language in an accessible way. She also spoke about my ability to learn with other students behind my back.
Credit Transfer Issues: