Where is the Fun?

Those of you reading my blog from college, you know how well ranked our school's study abroad program is in the States (it's ranked #1). Numerous students choose to study abroad for various reasons and I always hear how much fun their trip was and how they want to go back. I also hear from students that it is enjoyable because you get to travel around the city and school isn't focused on constantly. All I can say to you is...WRONG!

The India program is generally agreed upon to be the hardest place to study abroad that our school offers (I am saying this as far as having to adapt to the culture goes). On top of that, this year it seems like our school has decided to give us twice as much homework as any of the other programs. I think that many of us are feeling the strain of school work, and unfortunately it is taking away from our experience of visiting the sights of Kolkata. In my one class alone, I have NINE papers due in April (and this is just one class!) and not to mention numerous presentations throughout the month. Talking to many study abroad students, and even those students who went to India last year, they think it is outrageous the amount of work that we are expected to complete especially since we are already studying in a challenging place.

Unfortunately I also feel that I am in a tough spot because I am trying to apply for a scholarship and summer jobs. My summer job applications are not working out too well either because employers don't want to even interview me because I am in another country (which is totally prepostorous because then the position is not based on merit but on the proximity you are to the office). As the last month of my stay here draws near, I want to be going to a million places and seeing as much as I can, but instead I will be stuck in front of a computer screen constantly typing up papers. I think that if I am paying to BE in Kolkata and SEE Kolkata, then I should do so and I am a little disappointed in my teachers and the staff at the Office for Education Abroad for making this trip about papers, books, and presentations, and not about the culture and surroundings of India.