So you want to study abroad? London sounds nice, or maybe Italy. France? Spain? Ireland? Go for it, pick one. But don't forget, you do have over 190 countries to choose from, give or take. Go to Italy, eat double your weight in pizza, learn a few words in Italian maybe -- I'm not judging you, I'll be there for three months in the fall; I'm all for it. But it won't be my first experience abroad. My first trip abroad without my family was the one that has set the bar for all of my future adventures beyond U.S. borders. So as much as you might love to travel Europe, I encourage you to first travel somewhere that will put you completely out of your comfort zone. What better place than India?
Why is India the best?
There are a ton of reasons why India is one of the most amazing places to travel. Here are five big ones to get you excited.
1. Sugar and spice and everything nice.
As always, food is a priority. I'm not going to lie; if you absolutely hate spice then, yeah, you probably won't love Indian food. But there are plenty of Indian dishes that aren't spicy and still full of exquisite flavors! From fancy dinners to movie theater snacks and drinks, it's all great and it's all real.
Naan. There's not much else to say, just naan. Butter naan, garlic naan, plain naan -- this crispy, yet fluffy delicacy is good whichever way you have it. I wouldn't choose to carbo-load with any other bread.
Butter naan and prawns masala atop white rice
Dosas. India's version of a pancake, quesadilla, crepe -- whatever you'd like to call it, it's good. Have it with egg, veggies, or even chocolate and cashews. Yum! We dipped a chocolate one in peanut butter, and it was probably one of the best decisions we made the whole day.
Masala dosa with onion, potato and peppers
Appy Fizz tops apple juice.
Masala balls top American Cheetos.
These are the best accompaniments to a Bollywood film viewing. And check the ingredients on these fab movie snacks -- the processed fake stuff we're used to in America is left out of these Indian favorites!
Tea. Tea is everywhere, typically a drink of choice over coffee, enjoyed by both children and adults. Have it with milk and a hint of masala spice to mimic the taste of an American Chai.
Photo on right courtesy of A. Steinman
King Fisher, India's favorite beer, will keep you feeling refreshed and happy after a long day in the hot Indian sun. They're huge; drink responsibly.
2. Bang for your buck.
The best part about India is that everything is so cheap! Currently, $1USD is equivalent to around 64INR (Indian rupee). I don't think I ever spent more than $5 on a full meal, including drinks. Your money will go far here, people! Plus the paper bills have Gandhi's face on them, so that's just beautiful on its own!
3. Getting around.
Why trap yourself in a stuffy car on your drive to work when you could be embraced by the warm Indian breeze?
Mopeds. You probably think that Rome is the only place you can fulfill your Disney Channel dream of riding on the back of a vespa, like Lizzie McGuire. Wrong! Everyone rides mopeds in India.
Tuktuks are way better than taxis. Hailing a tuktuk isn't any more difficult than hailing a taxi. You can fit three to four people to a seat, sitting close enough to the driver to make friends. Plus, c'mon, these things are so dang cute.
Photo and tuktuk dress courtesy of A. Steinman
4. Beautiful people.
You will meet some of the most beautiful people, inside and out. They will be open and excited to teach you about their culture and learn from you about yours.
Shopowner in Varkala, Kerala
The kids in India are much better behaved than kids in America. Of course, kids are still kids, and 13-year-old boys will always be rowdy, flirty teenage boys. But overall, Indian children are much more respectful of their elders, polite, and well behaved in public. It's rare that you'll witness a temper tantrum in a bazaar (a store) in India.
The three main religions of India -- Islam, Christianity, and Hinduism -- are practiced all throughout the country, and the country's people live peacefully among one and other. Visit a school and talk to a group of friends; you'll meet a Joseph, Mohammed, and Aswin. All boys that come from families of different faiths, but all best friends, a rare find in this region of the world.
Hindu Rock Temple at Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu
5. Four-legged Friends
Animals are everywhere in the streets of India, from the rural areas to the cities. I've seen stray dogs, cows, chickens (okay, so they only have two legs), even elephants! If you don't like animals, I guess this isn't a perk for you, but let's be real, you can't say that driving alongside an elephant walking on the side of the road wouldn't be one of the coolest things you've ever seen.
Photos courtesy of A. Lowey
How could you say no to this country? Don't. Study abroad in India!
If you have any specific questions about studying abroad or traveling in India, specifically Southern India, hit ya' girl up. I can also put you in contact with a bunch of other students who will convince you that studying abroad in India is the best decision you might ever make, if this article wasn't enough to make you want to.
