As mentioned previously, I spent a month living in Mumbai in the summer of 2012. This experience was all thanks to the UKIERI Study India Programme.


What is the UKIERI Study India Programme?
The UK-India Education & Research Initiative (UKIERI) is an organisation whose aim is to enhance educational links between the UK and India. One way in which they do this is running the Study India programme on a yearly basis, where UK students travel to India and spend a month living, studying and working in the country. This programme is open to all undergraduate students across the UK, regardless of your course or university. They cover the cost of all the accommodation, food, activities and transport while you're in the country; attendees just have to pay for their flights and visa.

The programme seems to have changed a little since I took part, so this review might be a little outdated. However, I remember being desperate to find out more about the programme before I went; I searched endlessly online and found that information was close to non-existent. This review is here for anyone else in the same situation.

What does the programme involve?
There was quite a lot of classroom based learning, with various guest lecturers coming in to talk to us about a range of subjects from the local economy through to charity initiatives in the region. There were also more hands-on activities and day trips, including visits to popular tourist attractions, mosques and temples, government building, charity organisations and local schools. Then there was a week long work experience placement; different people had different placements, but mine involved spending a week with Taj Hotels, learning about the company and its history.

Would you recommend the programme?
Yes in the most part, but it does have several drawbacks. If you can afford to travel to India by yourself and are brave enough to go on your own or have a travel partner that is willing to come with you, you'll probably have more fun going independently, but perhaps won't learn as much about the diverse culture. However, if you prefer having more support and don't have enough spare cash to cover all of your food and accommodation there, then the programme would be great for you.

The biggest drawback was that the whole experience felt a little bit too much like being back in school. Being told what we were and were not allowed to do, having a tight schedule of where we had to be and when, enduring long days of sitting in a classroom listening to speaker after speaker, people being told off for talking or arriving late. It was completely worth it for an experience that has left me with memories I'll treasure for a lifetime, but it was a little frustrating at times.

Would you go on this programme if you had the chance?


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11 comments :

  1. I've always aspired to study abroad but have never found the opportunity. India sounds like a great place to learn, both in education and culturally too.

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    1. Catherine09 March, 2014

      Was an amazing opportunity, would definitely recommend studying abroad if you can find a way too.

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  • memographer09 March, 2014

    Thanks for the review of the programme, Catherine. I always prefer to go on my own or with a travel companion. But, it is good to know about other options.

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    1. Catherine09 March, 2014

      It was a great opportunity, but am definitely more of a fan of independent travel these days.

      Delete

  • I went on the Study China programme back in 2010, which I think has a very similar set up to the India one. It was a fantastic experience that enabled me to travel further than I would've been able to otherwise. I heard that a lot of people get sick on the India one though - how was that for you?

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    1. Catherine12 March, 2014

      Yes, I think it is very similar. There was a person on the Study India course that had actually done Study China already and said they were pretty much the same, but more freedom and spare time on the latter. Wish I'd done both of them to be honest!

      I didn't have any problems personally, a couple of people got a little sick, but I think that can be expected when a big group are travelling anywhere foreign.

      Delete
  • Jess @UsedYorkCity10 March, 2014

    This sounds like a very interesting program, similar to study abroad programs we have here in the US. I did one back in school to Europe, and loved all the history and tours we received, but do agree it felt very structured with very little free.

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    1. Catherine12 March, 2014

      Yeah, I think there are a lot of similar things. I think what makes this unique is that it's open to all undergraduate students in the UK and isn't done directly through a university - are there ones like that in the US to or are they just done by individual universities?

      Delete
  • Karl Saszik13 March, 2014

    Are you on Twitter?

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    Replies
    1. Catherine16 March, 2014

      I am not at the moment, but going to be setting up an account for the blog in the next couple of weeks, so watch this space!

      Delete
    2. Catherine17 March, 2014

      Done! - https://twitter.com/ECScenery

      Delete