Ashoka Visiting Student Program

Note: when you visit in the summer, a large portion of students return home so the campus can be a little empty (e.g. no student clubs are operational). Nonetheless, the staff and remaining students tried their best to make us feel comfortable and launched a bunch of fun activities for us. Campus facilities are great and I felt very safe. The academic workload is also quite manageable so it’s quite easy to travel (e.g. long weekend trips)

When I think back to Ashoka and my incredible exchange in India, it’s faces that come to mind first. I was lucky enough to meet some truly exceptional people at Ashoka—people as kind as they are talented. Some of them became real friends, and I can’t wait to see them again. Others—especially the professors—taught and inspired me greatly. And then there are those I never really got to know, but who still made my year brighter just by being there—many students, but also staff members, who were consistently kind, thoughtful, and ready to help. Their everyday kindness left a lasting impression on me. // The places come back to me too. From my little shared room to the lawns where I loved to study, from the mess hall to the spacious pool, from the modern classrooms to the outlets where I’d often meet friends over a chai—there are few spots on campus that aren’t tied to a memory. Over the months, Ashoka truly became a home. As much as I loved escaping on weekends to travel, I was always happy to return. // And then there are countless moments that flash through my mind: the Garba Night, the unforgettable Indian Ocean concert, the breathtaking performances by Abhinaya and other student groups, the food festival organized by the international students’ association, and so on. It’s impossible to get bored at Ashoka, where cultural and sporting events happen nearly every day! // A month after coming back, I now fully realize just how much my year at Ashoka gave me—not just in terms of knowledge, but in experiences and human connections. I wish everyone could know the joy I experienced there! I can only recommend this university, for its academic excellence, its beautiful setting, and the unique atmosphere that defines it. // So, to all the students considering an exchange—at Ashoka or anywhere else: moving abroad alone, thousands of kilometers from home, isn’t easy—it can be really tough, honestly. But it’s so, so worth it. Amazing experiences, friendships, and discoveries are waiting for you! Go for it—I would give anything to be in your shoes and do it all over again :)

I truly loved my time at Ashoka university. The student body was so welcoming and all the friends I made are friends I will stay in touch with for a lifetime. Summer session is truly so much fun and the educational opportunities are plentiful and rewarding!