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Study Abroad India

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Wednesday morning my plane landed and I’m back home from the trip. I’ve been trying to figure out how to properly convey my experience abroad but I can’t seem to be able to find the right words. I suppose I’m forced to use a cliche phrase– I had no idea what to expect. I tried my best to go in prepared but that’s not the easiest thing to do when you don’t really know where to start. Reading books, listening to stories, watching video clips, briefly meeting two students who went on the trip last year, discussing with a friend who has been to India before… Nothing really sets in that way.

Participating in the India study abroad program was one of the best things that ever happened to me. For anyone perusing a business degree, and many others who are not, working internationally is going to be something you’ll run into. I’m sorry to say that you can sit in a lecture hall for 10 years and not get a fraction of the knowledge learned by being there. I got to see first hand how the Indian society works by listening to professionals, visiting companies, and interacting with everyone I met along the way.

We were able to tour a hospital that has made great headway in the field of long distance medicine, a car manufacturer who I feel will have a decent impact in the electric car business, the Bangalore branch of Timken, a company that can provide all the necessities to get a distribution center open smoothly, and a breathtaking campus for an IT company that trains and employs professionals for outsourcing. Cardiology, IT, engineering– a glimpse into a diverse set of companies.

Of course during our time abroad we were able to visit some amazing sites. Seeing everything from temples to shopping malls, hospitals to mountaintops. High up on the impact list for not just myself was climbing a 470 foot tall solid rock mountain barefoot. Not only will the temple built on top with a 57 foot tall solid rock statue put you in awe, there’s something you can take away on a mental level from it if you choose.

I will definitely cherish this experience for many years to come and I am thankful to have been given the opportunity.