Students throughout the world choose to study abroad in foreign lands vastly different from their own. When I chose India, I knew that it would be a life-changing experience in a culture that I was almost entirely unfamiliar with upon arriving.
If you plan to study abroad in India, you should read up on the country to prepare yourself for the differences. This article does not detail all of the cultural differences. After one month of living and working abroad in India, here have been some of my most unique observations.
1. The spiciest food is... salad?
Whether its a fruit, Greek, Italian, Chinese or traditional salad style, salads have hands-down been the spiciest foods I have consumed during my time here. Maybe it's the fact there are no fats to diffuse the spices, but they have countlessly left me guzzling bottles of water and eating an excessive amount of naan.
2. Swastikas are found everywhere
It's not like you are thinking. Before it was ever used in Nazi Germany, the swastika was an ancient symbol throughout global cultures meaning life, sun, power, strength and good luck. The word swastika derived from Sanskrit, an ancient Indian language, and has been used in various art forms.
3. Your burger is made of bison
As you probably already know, cow meat is not eaten in India. What you probably have not learned is that you can still get a burger that looks similar to the familiar brown-colored meat. Most restaurants that serve international non-vegetarian options will have a burger and more than likely it will be made of bison meat.
4. Public restrooms are uncommon
Public restrooms are not impossible to find, but do not expect to go street shopping for a long period of time and be able to use a bathroom. Plan ahead to find a restaurant that is more modern and is likely to have both a bathroom and air conditioning to help you recover after a long day on your feet in the heat.
5. Traffic laws are flexible
Asian traffic as a whole is much more hectic than orderly American traffic. I am not sure what all the factors are that play into this disorganization, but realize that you are not a part of it. Learn how to cross the street upon arrival so you can get out and explore. It would be beneficial to learn how to drive a "bike" (motorcycle).
6. Work days include a tea break
It took me approximately three weeks to fully understand the extent to how much Indian people love their tea — specifically, chai. Every work day, there is hot tea and coffee served a couple hours after lunch. The tea is nothing like what you have tried in the US and it is so tasty-- you could drink it all day.
7. People eat with their right hand
Most food in India is best eaten with your hands. Even so, it is rare to find someone eating with both hands or only their left unless they are left-handed. Prepare yourself for lots of messy roti-curry combinations. Do not be too concerned with the mess. Most meals conclude with a cute, warm finger bowl to wash off afterward.
8. Adjust to the metric system, military time and Rupee monetary units
I spent most of my life in science class and had heard time and time again how the US was one of the only countries that did not use the metric system. However, I had not given too much thought to that or how different the other forms of measurement would be in India before arriving. It is something I am still getting used to.
9. Toilets have a hose companion
When you go to the restroom in India and use a Western style toilet, you may notice an odd companion hanging next to the toilet. A little silver sprayer that looks like the one next to your sink is likely to be posted to the wall. It took me weeks to figure out that this was to spray off your rear end post using the restroom.
10. Farm animals walk the main street
I am slightly unsure of the reason, but it is fairly common to see a cow in the center of a busy intersection each evening. During my walk home from work, I have run into a pack of goats a number of times and we often see cows. I live in a larger city and there is limited grazing land; however, this still surprises me every time.
