What is one of the most popular aspects of college? According to Inside Higher Ed, nearly 341, 751 students studied abroad during the 2017-18 academic year for credit, and the number continues to grow. Many schools, Penn State being the perfect example, offer study abroad programs all over the world, and have options for all majors. Being a college student, I wanted to focus my traveling experiences on studying abroad. A few years ago, I lived in Mumbai, India, and I believe that it is an amazing place to study abroad. 

There are several reasons why Mumbai is a good study-abroad destination, but I want to begin by discussing my experience there. As I mentioned before, I lived in Mumbai for four years. India is a diverse country, with unique cultures coming together. One of my favorite places to visit was the Gateway of India. A tall, arch monument built during colonial times- it is a reminder of the triumphs we have endured to become independent. When you visit, you are encaptured by the scene unfolding in front of you- tourists exploring, vendors selling their goods, and photographers trying to capture the moment you will look back on for the rest of your life. There is a patriotic feel in the air- as many people take pride in what our country has endured to get to where we are today. 

Beyond the Gateway of India, there are several temples across the city. You do not need to be religious to visit them, they are worth going to just to explore. India has taken a lot of pride in their temples and devoted a lot of money to them, creating grand structures that will take your breath away. For example, the Siddhivinayak Temple is known for its architectural glory. As you step in, all your stress leaves your body, as you stand in one of the most beautiful buildings in India. 

Beyond the beautiful locations, there are many more reasons why Mumbai is an amazing study-abroad location. They have top-notch programs for engineering and medical students, and being such a big city, provide several opportunities. Mumbai is also an excellent choice if you want to go to a place where you are exposed to a new culture, but are still in a modernized location. Beyond these reasons, it is also budget-friendly. A dollar has a high value in India, making products a lot cheaper. For example, one burger at KFC will cost around 200 rupees, which is equivalent to around $2.50. In the US, one burger at KFC is around five dollars. 

There are many takeaways I have from living in Mumbai. The first is the impact pride can have on a person. So many people in India carry with them pride after the troubles the country has gone through, and that allows them to connect with each other. This is similar to my second takeaway- the sense of community and the importance of it. In India, people are not afraid to rely on each other and to step up when someone needs help. I saw it myself, with my grandparents, who had people helping them with they were living on their own. Members of the community would visit them often and even cook for them. 

As I mentioned before, Mumbai is an amazing place to visit if you want to explore a place very different from the States. Since India is a blend of cultures, you will be exposed to multiple here. 

References:

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2019/11/18/open-doors-data-show-continued-increase-numbers-americans-studying-abroad