CIEE Arts + Sciences in Hyderabad, India

Studying abroad in Hyderabad, India, was one of the best experiences of my life, and this was largely due to (a) the amazing CIEE program and staff, (b) my homestay, (c) the cultural context, and (d) international and local friends.

(a) The CIEE program itself provided enough structure, but also flexibility, in creating an enriching study abroad experience. There were unique opportunities presented to us such as the arts-based classes (classical dance, henna, etc), the "fieldtrips" (the scavenger hunt around the city, visiting a weaving studio), and seminars delivered by local lecturers. The CIEE staff are incredible - they became not only my support, but my friends, and we are still in touch. The staff goes above and beyond to make this a wonderful journey for all students, and they go out of their way to accommodate the needs of each.

(b) One of the ways the program staff accommodated me was by allowing me to secure my own homestay. This made a huge difference for me because living outside of the university was important for my interests as a student of anthropology. I enjoyed my host family immensely, and I learned a lot from my daily commute using public transportation, which was challenging.

(c) Hyderabad itself has so much to offer. It is bursting with flavors, sounds, scents, colors, and people. It has an interesting mix of North and South India, but yet it has its own history and culture as well.

(d) My friends from the CIEE program, as well as from my university classes made my stay in India so full and fun. I had a roommate during my homestay and it was great to develop a close friendship with her. We even traveled together, and those are some of my best memories - my favorite being our trip to the Golden Temple in Amritsar. I also made some Indian friends who I learned so much from.

Overall, this was one of the most transformative semesters of my college years. For each person, it is and will be different, but that's what makes study abroad so powerful. With CIEE Hyderabad, you're sure to benefit from it greatly!

I really enjoyed my experience in this program. From orientation to my departure back to the U.S. I knew I had support from the administrators of the program. They made sure that we had the resources we needed (or at least knew how to find them) and were there to ensure we had a fun time as well. I really felt like they did what they could to ensure our time abroad was the best it could've been. Honestly great.

I can't begin to say how happy I am with my semester with CIEE Arts + Sciences in Hyderabad. Hosted at the University of Hyderabad's Study in India Program, this program offers a manageable introduction to Indian culture, history, and society. The program courses are designed for international students, with the option to study in the broader university and customize your curriculum as desired. Students can integrate as much into university life as wanted, and can branch out off campus through homestays and volunteering. The staff is caring and capable, experienced in working with American students and full of recommendations and advice.

Hyderabad is a dynamic city that is changing every day, with young professionals from all across India (and the world) calling it home. The tech industry is most well known here, but there are also many nonprofits, NGOs, and social enterprises with interesting missions and employees. (This also means that English is common, as well as Hindi and the local language Telugu.) It is a mix of north and south Indian cultures, cuisines, styles, and more, making it a great microcosm of the country. It's also centrally located which makes travel to different cities by plane, train, or bus possible.

Five years out, I credit this experience with helping me discover my career path. This past year I was even able to return to Hyderabad to work at a nonprofit; I lived just a short drive from campus. I am still close with my host family and friends from the university. This recent experience wouldn't have been possible without the connections and experiences I gained through the CIEE program.

Living in India was life-changing in the best way! It was so beautiful, the landscape, the people, the food. Everything was incredible.the culture shock made me a stronger person so I feel like I can go anywhere in the world and feel confident. My favorite place was Varanasi on the river Ganga. The staff were like family. It’s just amazing.you are able to experience the amazing Hyderabad while traveling through India on the weekends. I even developed close relationships with my Indian classmates. No words. DO IT!

This is a great study abroad program. They offer a lot of support for students who have never been to India, or even those with minimal knowledge of the country. CIEE staffs are really good at making sure you are well adjusted and I encourage all the future participants of this program to really take advantage of the staffs, they can be extremely helpful. This program offers an excellent chance to see Indian university campus life and meet young people from all over India and from different background.