Details

• India
• MAMark-21
• Graduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 3 months

1. Preparation

Flight: I flew with Air Arabia via Sharjah (UAE) for about €320 one way. It was the cheapest option by far and a smooth connection. From the airport, it is best to go to the campus by Uber (download the app beforehand). It's very affordable. You can also just book a taxi at the airport stands, but it might be twice as expensive-though still quite cheap. Finances: Get a Revolut (or similar) card before you leave. It’s a lifesaver for getting decent exchange rates at ATMs and managing your daily budget. Once you've registered your Indian SIM card, I recommend setting up a Mony account (it's an app). Then you can pay with QR codes - there's a fee, but it’s still incredibly useful Health: Book an appointment with a tropical medicine specialist early on. They’ll tailor your vaccinations to your travel plans and give you essential advice on staying healthy. You might consider getting a dengue vaccination. You should start the dengue vaccination cycle 3-4 months before your departure. I didn't get it because it was too late, but there are many dengue cases every year on campus. Fortunately, I didn't catch it as I was using strong mosquito repellents.

2. Accommodation

Mandatory stay: Living on campus is mandatory. It costs around €400 per month, but that price is actually quite inclusive-it covers your books, Wi-Fi, and regular room cleaning. Rainbow Dorms: I stayed in Rainbow Dorms, which are widely considered the best option. The overall standard was fine, but there were a few downsides: it was quite noisy because of the street (I was at the 6th floor), and the hot water was a bit hit-or-miss. You get a private room with a private bathroom, equipped with both AC and a ceiling fan. Facilities: Kitchen & laundry: There is a shared kitchen and a washing machine in the hallway. To be honest, the kitchen isn't very well-equipped and isn't exactly the cleanest place. Appliances: You’ll find a fridge, freezer, and a microwave there. Water: There is also a water dispenser. It’s perfectly safe to drink-I drank it the whole time and was fine. Drying clothes: We usually hung our laundry to dry on the room's balcony. Other options: I wouldn’t really recommend staying in any dorm other than Rainbow; the standard in the others is much lower. For couples, there are married student apartments. You can usually work something out with the exchange council even if you aren't officially married, but keep in mind that the standard there isn't the best. Location & safety: The dorms are on the new campus, just a 2-minute walk from the classrooms, which is super convenient. You’ll feel very safe both in the dorms and on campus-there is security everywhere. In fact, once you get used to the local lifestyle, you’ll realize that India feels pretty safe in general!

3. Academic life at host university

Campus Life and socializing The campus is packed with facilities: a swimming pool, gym, tennis and badminton courts, yoga classes an outdoor track, foosball, and a library - everything for free. The entire old campus is basically one giant park, so there are plenty of ways to spend your free time. Just a heads-up: local students are constantly throwing room parties, so be prepared for some noise-it can be hard to get a good night's sleep, especially in the male dorms. On the bright side, they are very welcoming to exchange students, so it’s super easy to integrate through sports or parties. Dress code People don’t really dress up here; it’s mostly very casual. To my surprise, many girls wear short skirts or shorts, though some prefer more modest outfits. After a few days on campus, you’ll figure out what you’re most comfortable in. Stick to breathable, comfortable clothes that aren’t too skimpy so you feel at ease. Most locals even wear flip-flops to class, and the guys usually stick to T-shirts and hoodies. Academics and culture The workload is quite heavy-expect lots of homework, case studies to read, and presentations. Local students stay up very late and don’t get much sleep because they’re juggling intense studying with socializing (the ultimate "work hard, play hard" vibe). Compared to WU, I felt the material here was broader but often covered more superficially. Because of the sheer volume of work, many students rely heavily on AI to keep up. Grades are a big deal because they directly impact job placements, so the competition is very visible-everyone is super active in class, and people generally don't share their notes. Recommended courses "Elephants and Cheetahs": You have to take this one! It’s an iconic course - interesting and quite unique. Anything with Navdeep Mathur: He’s an amazing professor. If you click with him, he might even invite you over to his place for dinner!

5. Every day life in the host country

Transportation & travel To get around, we used taxis and rickshaws through apps like Uber, Ola, and Bolt - it’s incredibly cheap and convenient. In Ahmedabad, I felt very comfortable taking rickshaws, even when traveling alone as a girl. I also traveled between cities by train; they are comfortable and affordable, with budget-friendly sleeper options for overnight trips. I felt safe on the trains, though I usually traveled in a group. Generally, after a few weeks, I felt safe everywhere in India, and Ahmedabad in particular is very safe. Sometimes strangers will approach you, but most of the time they don’t have bad intentions - they just want to sell you something or have a chat. My biggest fear in India was the traffic (like being hit by a car), but in Ahmedabad, it’s actually manageable. Pro-tip: Definitely travel as much as you can in your free time! Internal flights aren't super cheap, but since trains are so affordable, Rajasthan - which is right next door and full of amazing spots - is an absolute must-see. Sports & fun activities Besides the great sports facilities on campus, we often went out for padel, pickleball, bowling, trampoline parks, and the Garba Navratri dance festival. I especially recommend the gas-powered go-karts; they are several times cheaper than in Europe and it was such a blast! I also ran the Adani Ahmedabad Half Marathon, which was an incredible experience. If you’re into running, I highly recommend it!

6. Testimonial

I’m absolutely thrilled with the experience of being completely immersed in such a different culture. Even though the university has its fair share of issues - like the intense pressure on both students and faculty - spending three months here was truly extraordinary. You really have to step out of your comfort zone and leave your bubble to make the most of it, but it is 100% worth it. The Indian students at IIMA are sharp, funny, friendly, and welcoming. I also met a wonderful group of European exchange students, and it was definitely the people who made this exchange so special. And then there’s the travel - traveling is what truly fuels me. The food, the dancing, the conversations... I’ll cherish these memories forever. Getting top marks isn't easy; I mostly got Bs, but I think focusing on the experience rather than the grades was the right call in my case. To be honest, I wouldn't say the classes were the strongest part of the exchange - it was the people and the culture that truly made the difference. For more detail you can reach out to me via my private email: ssadowsska@gmail.com