Program Reviews

In the Spring of 2014, I went on the IFSA Butler - Pune program in India. I had wanted to travel to India for several years, and decided to make it happen with my study abroad experience. I highly recommend this program. The program director, Uttara, is incredible and like a second mom to all the students. My host family was incredibly hospitable and welcoming. The food is delicious (you will probably get sick once or twice because your stomach will be adjusting, but its worth it!). The classes are super interesting, but not very challenging. Pune is also a great city. Its very affordable. Travel from home to school was several kilometers but only cost about 30 rupees (50 US cents) that I split with my roommate. The food is equally cheap and for awhile was eating local lunch food from about 40 rupees to 70 (66 cents to 1.15). Incredibly cheap. But Pune is also a very wealthy / international city, and certain neighborhoods (i.e. KP) is much more expensive but has more clubs, bars, and fun places to hang out. The city has lots to offer and I highly recommend this Pune program to anyone who wants to experience India.

My day to day routine consisted of biking to class (Dorms and host families are generally very close, about a 10 min bike ride). Learning Chinese for 2 hours, then getting lunch at the school cafeteria (there is no meal plan included, but food is quite cheap, a typical lunch cost about $1-2 in the cafeteria). I usually did some homework, I personally feel this program had a pretty rigorous course load- unlike some in, European countries for example. The program is very small so it allowed for close interactions and tight bonds with program mates. The program also tried to have an activity every week or 2 weeks, that was always interesting and fun, dumpling making, going to the art district, and the tea market. The program was also very helpful, whether you have fallen ill, or are trying to decide where to go for a weekend trip, or the week long break we get, they are helpful in giving recommendations and suggestions as to where to buy tickets.

Great program! Butler's end made it very easy to apply and prepare for the trip. Flinder's end was very welcoming and had lots of programs for international students to do. (Day trips, special workshops, welcome lunches, etc.) Classes were easier than I expected and the workload was a lot less than I was used to having. (Which was alright for me, I needed a break!)

Australia is an awesome place to study lots of different subjects, but it was lacking in the locations of schools and support by program staff. I got to take amazing classes that were specific to Australia, but I didn't get to meet many other students.

With a full academic schedule, I was always moving around the city. IFSA Butler gave me the support I needed and the activities I wanted to make the most of my time in Buenos Aires! It changed my life!

The Parliamentary Internship Program was academically challenging, professionally rewarding, and experientially incredible! Classes were certainly rigorous, given that they are compressed into a 5 week period and the faculty challenge students to do their very best work.

The Parliamentary Internship provided an academic component that is unique among study abroad programs. The 10 week internship is designed to give students real world experience within a fully active parliament, working directly with elected representatives of the Scottish Government. Contrary to some expectations, every student gets the opportunity to work one on one with their assigned Member of Scottish Parliament (MSP) each and every day. During the internship, students complete a research project in an area of their choosing, with the mentorship of their MSP and the Program Faculty. This was, by far, the most rewarding academic experience I have had (which now extends to a B.A., M.A., and teaching credential). The program taught me to be an effective researcher, critical evaluator, active learner, and a more independent adult.

The biggest piece of advice that I can give students who enter this program is to get to know your Scottish apartment-mates and neighbors. My Scottish apartment-mate and his best friend became the two people that I spent the most time with throughout the program and they showed me the true Scotland, that cannot be experienced only by visiting tourist areas. Through their friendship, I learned a ton about the culture and politics of the nation, which helped me immeasurably in my internship experience. 6 years after my abroad experience, I still stay in touch with those two great friends who taught me so much.

With the classes only meeting 3 days a week and having the weekends off during the internship portion, travel is very possible. I chose a different path than most of those in the program, electing to spend my travel time in the UK. I was able to travel extensively throughout Scotland with my apartment-mate and his best friend and through Ireland and Southern England with some great folks from the program. Though I want to travel in Europe at some point, I can happily say that I do not regret staying in the UK because there is just so much to see!

Lastly, the program staff did a great job of getting us out to some amazing sites in the country. From my homestay in Stirling with an amazing couple, to our trip through the Scottish Highlands, the wonderful staff really made sure to give us the best experience possible. The staff was always there to support us and made the whole four months possible through their tireless efforts behind the scenes.

Overall, my time abroad was extremely transformative and helped propel me to further academic and professional success. I highly recommend this program and wish I could experience it all over again!

Some of the day to things that make the program are that you're living in dorms with other Indian students going to class with Indian students too. You're able to make friends with the other American students on your program, with your Indian roommate, or your friend's roommates, your classmates, and just the other Manipal students, faculty and staff.
The public health field visits are an amazing opportunity of the program. You learn about how the healthcare system is set up, and how it's suppose to operate, and then you actually get to go and see the facilities and ask questions.
Manipal at first can be quite confusing, but you really become comfortable quickly, because at many times it's just like a large college campus in a college town. Many things, like everyone stressing over exams, dance exhibitions on the weekends, and eating in a dining hall are all familiar. Don't get me wrong, you always feel like you're in India, but it isn't as jarring of an adjustment as one might think.
One thing that I wish the program could incorporate more individual travel weekends. India is a huge country, and I definitely feel like I'm not even close to an expert on southern India, let alone the whole country. The saturday excursions are great, but more time to venture on our own would be great.
This program was absolutely the best decision I ever made. I'm now an Alliance alumni ambassador, and love getting to share my experience with potential study abroad students. I also have great plans to go back to India, ideally south India. The culture, people, food, and clothes have all really stuck in my heart, and I can't wait to go back again and again!

Everything that I did abroad was either suggested by the program director and the assistant director or stemmed from their suggestions. They really have your best interests in mind and want you to have the best experience. They are the best resource for learning what fun activities can be had.

I loved shopping and haggling and walking around the city trying to find new places to eat and explore. I loved the food and although I had my favorites I always tried to find new cuisines.

Hui Min Jie is honestly my favorite place in Xi'an. The food is great, the people are friendly and it's a great place to learn to haggle and practice speaking.

I really enjoyed my time abroad in Shanghai, China with the Alliance program; it was the most memorable four months of my life. I will be honest though, in the beginning it was extremely difficult for me to adjust to the culture, being away from home, as well as living on my own. But luckily I had the support of my peers and the program, therefore I was able to overcome these difficulties quickly. Thankfully I lived at the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics (SUFE) dorms along with other students from around the world, which helped me so much because they were going through exactly what I was going through. I would usually have class from 10am until the afternoon and some days until 4pm, giving us enough time to roam the city and get familiar with Shanghai. As for the language difference, what helped me get over this fear were our weekly Chinese tables where we were forced to speak Chinese. Also, when ever I went grocery shopping, or purchased meals I was forced to speak Chinese in order to communicate with the locals. It was an amazing experience, I would highly recommend this program to students thinking about studying abroad.

The Alliance for Global Education's Business in China program is perfect for those interested in international business or relations. The staff and program are wonderful for learning about the amazing culture of China and Shanghai!

With weekly activities available, and a friendly staff a phone call or 5 minute walk away, you feel immediately at home and safe within the giant city.