Study Abroad in India

India is a big place and the choices about where and what to study may seem endless. Don’t be overwhelmed! There’s the right program for you here, just keep in mind what you want to get out of the experience.

Consider if you want to enroll directly at one of India’s universities or go through a study abroad program. Direct enrollment means you’ll be studying side-by-side with your Indian peers for the full experience in Indian student life. Going through a study abroad program, either with your home university or a third-party provider, will help take care of many of the details about arranging your placement. It all comes down to how independent you want to be.

The major things for you to consider will be what to study and where. Consider whether the university has programs and classes that align with your interests and course of study. Also keep in mind what climate and type of city you want to be in. India is a big country. You won’t be able to see it all on weekend trips, so you might want to choose a program near places that interest you in a climate you’ll find comfortable.

You’ll find the culture of your host country to be a far cry from what you’re used to. But that’s why you came here! There will be almost guaranteed culture-shock. You’ll have a better time when you embrace your new destination, engage with your classmates both in and outside of the classroom, and keep an open mind about how life runs differently on this subcontinent.

One major difference you might find between student life in India and what you’re used to back home is the focus on academics. The social aspects of being in college that are so central to the American student experience are less of a concern in India. In India, the major focus is on your academic studies. Sure there are student parties and opportunities to socialize, but they are more of an afterthought here. Staying out all hours of the night before class just isn’t a norm here. In fact, most student housing has a curfew.

Many universities have basic medical services, but you shouldn’t rely on these. You’ll find most hospital facilities to be lacking in equipment and services. Although most cities have decent private clinics, they can be costly.

The best thing to do is avoid problems to begin with. Drink only purified water and be wary of street food. The air quality in large cities can be downright abysmal. Take precautions if you have any respiratory concerns. Also, do your best to avoid mosquitos as they can carry diseases like dengue and malaria.

There are more than a few third-party scholarships out there to help offset the costs of studying abroad in India. Check out the following to see if they’re able to help you out:

• API is a great place to start considering they give around half a million dollars a year to students studying abroad through their scholarship programs.
• USAC awards scholarships of up to $1,000 to students studying abroad in many locations, including India.
• The US State Department offers needs-based scholarships for study abroad programs through the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program.