Study Abroad Programs in Mumbai, India

Would you like to learn how to dance like a Bollywood diva? Grow your business? Run a health service efficiently? There are a multitude of ways to pursue your interests in India, so if you are looking for a hands on approach, or a more tertiary/academic form of study, Mumbai has something for everyone.

Popular subjects to study in Mumbai. This is the entertainment capital of India for a reason! Pursuing an arts education here means you could study anything from painting, music, theater, and dance to obtain that Indian influence you may be seeking. 

Mumbai also faces a variety of health issues, however most unique to the region are tropical diseases. By studying any of the health sciences, you will get a chance to contribute to community health care services and gain a heap of knowledge in the process.

Of course, the power behind India’s status as one of the world’s largest growing economies is the financial and commercial prowess of Mumbai. You could learn from the savviest business and management minds, like the CEOs of top international corporations in India! 

Short term and summer programs vs. long term programs. Short term programs in Mumbai can run over your summer break or at other intervals throughout the year. Keep in mind that the seasons in Mumbai are tropical, so while Mumbai has summer and “winter,” you’re also looking at monsoon and post-monsoon weather. But, luckily, Mumbai is a coastal city, so the sea breeze does help!

If you opt for a longer term program, you can enjoy the beautiful winter periods and more cultural festivities. Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most enthusiastically celebrated festivals in the city with colorful parades, beautiful artistic displays, and an abundance of lights, flowers, and, of course, yummy food!

Attending universities vs. other program types. Mumbai offers a diverse range of programs from undergraduate exchange to more hands-on learning. The choice really depends upon what field of study and how long you want stay in Mumbai. If you study medicine, commerce, management or the arts, then more hands on and shorter options are available. In most other fields, there will likely only be university programs available.

Mumbai is considered to be one of the most affordable cities in the world for international students, but this doesn’t necessarily mean you have to reduce your quality of living. 

So you want to live like a Mumbaikar? Eat, shop, drink and repeat! While there can be challenges to adapting to a new lifestyle, the cosmopolitan nature of the city will keep you entertained. You will probably get lost amongst the crowd, be spoilt for choice for Indian cuisine, and could even (try) engaging in a haggling session at a local market.

Mumbai, as with the whole of India, has too interesting a history to miss out on — so please do ensure that you learn about the great Emperor Ashoka of Magadha, the Islamic, Portuguese, and British rules, and the triumphant independence of India as we know it today. Too much to ask? Take it as a testament to how busy, complex, and alluring this city really is.

Here’s a couple of inside tips as you’re preparing to study abroad in Mumbai:

• Here is where you’ll find the glamour and scandal of Bollywood! But don’t let that fool you, there is still a conservative approach taken to clothing and PDA’s.
• Cash is king - even though there are various ATM and card accepting locations, you really can only experience the true nature of this city with cash and street side stalls. So make sure you always have some on hand.
• Bottled water only! As if I needed to say this, but it’s still worth repeating; and
• There is no train station at the airport - but there are bus and taxi options. Be warned, with the driving conditions and traffic of India, buses are not for the faint hearted!

This crazy and diverse city is such because it attracts many people from different countries. If there is one destination to study abroad in during your lifetime, then this is it. Experience all that this country has to give. So, what are you waiting for? Make it happen and study abroad in Mumbai. 

Keep the inspo coming! Read our comprehensive guide on studying in India.