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alumni q & a

See what our SIP Alumni have to say about their study abroad experiences....

Name:

Undergraduate School : College of William and Mary

Major: Biology

Semester and Year of Study Abroad: Spring 2005

Current Employer: Appalachia Star Farm, Virginia

1. What drew you to India in the first place?

The first time I went to India was a short trip with a friend for the appeal of going somewhere exotic-and I hated it! But when I went back to study in Pondicherry and spent more time in India , making friends and gaining experience, I learned a lot from India .

2. What is your favorite travel destination in India ?

I have always enjoyed my trips to Kerala- Munnar, Thekkady, and Kottayam. I also recommend heading up north-check out Udaipur if you make it to Rajasthan.

3. What do you miss most about your Semester in India ?

I miss the friends I made through my ecology program, as well as living with the other study abroad students-we got along very well. A warning that when you make friends with Indian peers you then have to be half a world away from them once you leave.

4. What kinds of things did you do outside of classes at Pondicherry ?

I spent time with my friends from the ecology department, hung out on the Beach Road , and wandered around the campus.

5. You went back to India after SIP. Tell us more about it .

I actually went back to India to do a different study abroad in Rajasthan, a state in Northern India . The program was focused on International Development and provided me with the opportunity to spend extensive time in rural areas, as well as to visit the friends I met while in Pondy. I did some interesting research and attended an international conference about biodiversity.

6. Do you have a motto you live by?

Nope

7. What are your career plans?

I will be working for the government in the short term, but eventually I am interested in pursuing agriculture and the preservation of indigenous knowledge. Ideally I'd like to be a farmer someday.

8. One word that describes India :

Oh these one word challenges. complex

If you would like to contact SIP Alumni, please email us at info@semesterinindia.org.