International Exchange Students in India: Top 15 Things That You Will Learn & Experience

Planning to spend a year or a few months in India (including Mumbai), as part of a student exchange program (or as an intern or for some course)? There are several reasons to get excited about.

Maybe you will have less freedom (but you should be fine as long as you remember – when in Rome do as the Romans do), less wealth (and even less cleanliness, especially in some areas of big cities, such as in Dharavi), but there are plenty of amazing experiences to have in India (its a huge country after all).

So if you are an International Exchange Student and will be in India for a considerable amount of time, get ready to take a leap into the deep waters, as everything is different, and everything is new (for a foreigner) in India!

The good thing is that you will experience and learn several things from your stay in India.

1. You get to learn the Language (Hindi is spoken in most parts of India): Words like Namaste (hello), Shukriya (thank you), Phil Milenge (see you again) will become a part of your vocabulary.
2. Its the hub of opportunities: With one of the fastest growing economies in the world, you will get to see the various opportunities that the country has to offer. No wonder many students decide to extend their stay in India, or pick up a job here in India.
3. You will learn how to bargain: Indians love it when they get anything for less than the asking price. You will learn the art of bargaining in India.
4. You will get exposed to several new art forms. You will learn about India’s rich culture, history & arts. You will definitely learn how to dance…Indian style.
5. You are going to love taking part in the various festivities – You will learn about the various gods, beliefs and the different celebrations
6. You will enjoy your victories – Learning to get around by the new modes of transportation, using the trains in Mumbai is an entirely different experience. You will learn to get in a crowded bus, enjoy the auto rickshaw ride.
7. You will learn more about the various Indian sports (such as Kabaddi), and you will learn how to play Cricket
8. If you visit Bollywood (film city) in Mumbai, you may probably get an opportunity to be in front of the camera
9. You will experience the heavy monsoons – In big cities like Mumbai, the rains have the power to bring the city to a standstill (happens at least a few days in those three months of monsoon)
10. If you stay with the families, you get to see their homes and get to closely see how they live together
11. You will make several new friends, some of them will be in touch for a time to come
12. You will experience the overwhelming streets and cities
13. You will start enjoying Indian food, and will enjoy the delicacies from the street. In Mumbai, you will see that the humble ‘Vada Paav’ beats Mcdonalds burger.
14. You will engage in social work: You will build brick homes, give solar homes to villagers. Just look around you and see how you can help. And while doing so…don’t hesitate to show pride in where you come from (tell people about your country too).
15. Every single movement is full of adventure, and people always welcome where ever you go
    

In India, you get to experience adventure everywhere – in every rickshaw ride, in every bite you eat, and every step of the way. So go out, live, and make the most out of life in India.

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