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India

Leah Raczka's Experience

Name: Leah Raczka
Major: Advertising and Public Relations
Program: IISAC
Traveled Abroad Before: No

Q: What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of your study abroad experience?
A: What a whirlwind of personal growth, culture shock and emotions. My time abroad was so rewarding on many levels. For the first time in my college career I had a semester that allowed me to look deeper at myself. By studying in India I really discovered a true me. A brighter insight was gained in respect to what I want from this lifetime and the type of person I want to be.

Q: Why did you choose this destination?
A: When researching study abroad programs I wanted something non-traditional. When I stumbled upon the IISAC program the words "divine chaos" jumped out at me. Besides that I grew up watching and being read The Jungle Book before bed - I guess I had a strange fascination with Indian culture starting at a young age.

Q: What are some things that surprised you about the campus, the classes, the culture, customs or traditions?
A: Living in a Western culture we [as students and people] hear so many things about the Eastern world that shockingly enough is full of truth and misconceptions. With India we hear about the poverty, the gender inequality and the disease. What is not talked about enough is how far the country has come as a whole, the beauty that lies within the poverty and dirt covered roads and overall the magic that touches you from it's over-humbling people. It's a definitely a developing country not a "third-world country." As a woman in my twenties the biggest culture shock for me, having grown up in America, was the realization that women are still not treated with as much respect or equality. You hear about it but until you see it/feel the pain from another woman in that situation you ask yourself, "How bad can it really be?" Volunteering with an organization that aimed to change this was the most challenging aspect of studying in South India.

Q: What are some things you would like students to know about studying abroad in this destination or the program provider you studied with?
A: Please do not let any bad connotation associated with the country prohibit you from traveling and studying in India. The IISAC program really does go above and beyond in accommodating American students. They work very hard to ease you into the culture before classes start by providing tours and culture classes. As long as common sense is applied and you are cautious India is a pretty safe country. There are millions of people that will help divert a problem if one occurs. They are curious, just like us. In Pondicherry, especially, the campus and city is safe and full of helping hands.

Q: What advice would you offer?
A: Do some research before you chose A Semester Abroad in India. The pictures are alluring but India is not for everyone. You have to really want to be there. Also, you have to be willing to learn and partially accept a culture completely different than the one you are used to while living there. India is a civilization thousands of years older than our own with billions of more people so naturally any change is slow moving.

Q: What was your academic goal while studying abroad?
A: To embark in an academia that taught me something new. I was eager to take an international relation class and hear an Eastern culture view. India looks at the world in some ways that seem unfathomable to us and it's good to hear a political stance [for the world] in a way that we are not used to.

Question? Email Leah!

Carter Brown's Experience

Name: Carter Brown
Major: Biomedical Sciences
Program: IISAC
Traveled Abroad Before: Yes

Q: What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of your study abroad experience?
A: Incredible. India is a beautiful chaos.

Q: Why did you choose this destination?
A: I thought India would be a culture much different than our own (and it is!).

Q: What are some things that surprised you about the campus, the classes, the culture, customs or traditions?
A: Everything was different. Classes were not as difficult as expected. Time has a whole new meaning from the time of arrival.

Q: What are some things you would like students to know about studying abroad in this destination or the program provider you studied with?
A: "India is not for everyone." -Mark Schaub

Q: What advice would you offer?
A: Plan ahead for your study abroad experience- it's never too early. An open mind and a positive attitude are all one needs.

Q: What was your academic goal while studying abroad?
A: To break the barrier between life inside and outside of the classroom to make the learning experience a whole, rather than two separate entities.

Question? Email Carter!

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