IFSA Global and Public Health

I loved participating in this program! I was fully immersed in the country via food and cultural experiences. In the Fall, there were a lot of festivals such as Dussehra and Diwali. It was truly one of a kind to get to dance and celebrate with the local people, especially on such big holidays. I also loved having the opportunity to walk around the small college city and to interact with the people. I would wake up on the weekends and hop on a autorickshaw and just explore the neighboring areas and food spots. I felt safe enough to travel by myself too, which was a major plus point. I gained a real sense of independence and learned so much about the people and customs. I was able to learn some Hindi and a traditional classical dance called Bharatanatyam. The best part was probably all of the food I was able to eat. Food is a huge part of my life and just seeing people on the streets crafting these culinary masterpieces was like heaven. I tried to eat everything in sight. I think the key to India is learning to let go and being willing to try everything, even if only once.

I enjoyed studying abroad in India because of my personal connection with the culture. I was fascinated with the experience and working with Manipal University. I enjoyed the food as well as the movies and music. There were challenges adjusting to the cultural expectations that were required of that space, but I understood that I can't be that moving force of change in that space. The amount of help I received at Manipal University was important and supportive to keep going. I also enjoyed the independent trips we had to explore India.

I had the amazing opportunity to study abroad to Manipal for the fall of my junior year! I think that you learn SO much about a culture from learning about their health and being able to study public health in a country as complex as India was incredible. The director of the program, Katie Jo was amazing and facilitated so many culturally immersing excursions from visits to Hindu temples to a ten day travel week across South India! Traveling India was an experience that I would never trade for anything. South India is a pantheon of amazing food, culture and sights to see! There is ALWAYS something to do at Manipal, including a night life scene, beaches, mountains and awesome food places. It really ends up feeling like a college campus after a while, though at first it feels huge! One of my favorite things (and what I miss the most) about India was the food. I LOVED trying all of Manipal's restaurants and it definitely connected me more to some awesome friends and places!

I was in Manipal from January 2014 to May 2014 and I loved every minute of it! I made some of my best friends while I was there, many of whom I still keep in touch with on a daily basis. I created incredibly strong connections to the people I encountered and the language as well. I spent an extra month in India after the program ended, and everyone within the Alliance staff was extremely helpful in planning this with me. The classes are similar, if not better than my courses in the U.S. and I never really had a moment of wishing I could go home. I have plans already to return and stay with the friends I made at Manipal. It was really the greatest experience!

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!