Jamaica or India? - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**freespiritz** · 11-19-2006, 02:48 AM

Soo...every year in April/May my college has a 6-week, one course short term, and there are always off-campus options. Last year I applied to go to Chile to hike around in the Andes and save the mountain deer, but got turned down because I had no winter camping experience. Oh well. So this year I shall try again...and I'm considering one in India (about US 3700) and one in Jamaica (about US 3000). As far as recommended background goes, I have no knowledge of the Carribean/African American studies, but probably can do okay at handling very high temps. :P

I am leaning towards India, but wanted all your good input on the matter! The cost isn't really an issue, I'm expecting to pay about half the actual amount thanks to financial aid.

Course descriptions:

Cultural Production and Social Context, Jamaica. Although Jamaica's artistic and popular culture enjoys international acclaim, it is at the same time often misunderstood. This unit affords students an opportunity to investigate a range of Jamaican cultural practices within the context of the specific social, historical, and political matrices in which they are generated and received. This unit begins with a preliminary introduction/orientation in Lewiston. In Jamaica, regular seminar meetings are supplemented by guest speakers and visits with writers and artists. In addition, each student carries out an individual research project using both textual and ethnographic methods of inquiry. Recommended background: previous course on the Caribbean or in African American studies.

Religion, Pluralism, and Politics in South Asia. This unit offers an introduction to the study of Islam in South Asia, focusing on Chishti Sufi saints, their shrines, and the work of the Tablighi Jama’at – a distantly related movement devoted to the cause of religious revival and reform (tajdid) around the world. During four weeks in India, we will sit for lectures with local faculty members and travel to a variety of mosques, shrines, and other sites of religious and historical significance in Delhi, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. A tolerance for very high temperatures is essential.

**blinkchick2134** · 11-19-2006, 06:37 AM

Both seem like really interesting options and both locations offer their own benefits. Have you been to India? If you have I say go for Jamaica!

Yeah, I can't decide either...hehe.

**freespiritz** · 11-19-2006, 06:49 AM

No, I haven't been to India or Jamaica. Initially I wanted to study in four continents/four countries over my four years in college (US, Chile, China and Italy) but South America didn't happen for me, so I may just scrap that four-continent idea and hit up India although it did seem like a cool plan.

**simply_angelic** · 11-19-2006, 07:39 AM

I'd go with India myself...Jamaica's cool, but India's just soooo completely 100% different from the lifestyle you experience in North America, and as it's farther away when you're ready to travel later on, it'll be easier to get youself to Jamaica for a couple weeks as opposed to India. Might as well take the opportunity while you still can!

**Majestic58** · 11-19-2006, 10:25 AM

I have to say, my vote is for India too... I'e always wanted to go and after reading SV's blogs about her trip now I REALLLLLY want to go.. I just seems like something completely different, and SO beautiful... Plus airfare to Jamaica is way cheaper than to India, so you can always just go there on Vacation at some point..

By the way, I want to go to YOUR school! Where do you go?!?

**omisan** · 11-19-2006, 03:35 PM

Inja.

**Diorama** · 11-19-2006, 05:37 PM

I'll pretend i'm SV and say India!

**Somnambulation** · 11-19-2006, 06:30 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(freespiritz @ Nov 19 2006, 02:48 AM) [snapback]145271[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

This unit affords students an opportunity to investigate a range of Jamaican cultural practices within the context of the specific social, historical, and political matrices in which they are generated and received.[/b]

smoke ganja for credits!

But India really sounds like the better option.

**freespiritz** · 11-20-2006, 03:31 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Majestic58 @ Nov 19 2006, 02:25 PM) [snapback]145308[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I have to say, my vote is for India too... I'e always wanted to go and after reading SV's blogs about her trip now I REALLLLLY want to go.. I just seems like something completely different, and SO beautiful... Plus airfare to Jamaica is way cheaper than to India, so you can always just go there on Vacation at some point..

By the way, I want to go to YOUR school! Where do you go?!?
[/b]

Yeah, I think India is appealing more and more...although I may just apply for both in case I don't get accepted to one.

I think most colleges have options for study abroad, but I go to Bates College, Lewiston, ME...they've been great about financial aid (need-based, so I get a ton, coming from Malaysia) and they have a really high study abroad percentage and run a bunch of abroad programs too. Good stuff!

I paid about US 550 for my entire semester fees for China (excluding a US 900 loan), but I'm making a profit since we get about US 12 per day for food.

**LiveFreeorDie** · 11-20-2006, 05:22 AM

I would vote for India too. I have been to Jamaica, and its okay, but a little dicey in some parts. India just seems to have so much more to offer. Its a massive country with so much to see and so many different aspects to the culture, as well as being such an ancient culture. For me it would be a no-brainer. Good luck on your decision!!

**tumblezweedz** · 11-20-2006, 05:56 AM

What exactly are you studying?

Personally, if I were considering you for some sort of job, I'd be more impressed with the India one than the Jamaica one (Som's quote summed up my impression of that one), and even though you're a lot closer to India than Jamaica, I also agree that the opportunity to go to India may be harder to come by.

Also, it being such a wildly different culture, it might be nice to get an intro through an organized study opportunity, and then go back on your own. Also, India appeals more to me, though I can't stand the heat, myself!

**BelfastFlyer** · 11-20-2006, 07:30 AM

india is one of those place that just doesnt tickle my fancey so I'd say Jamacia!

**freespiritz** · 11-20-2006, 08:07 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tumblezweedz @ Nov 20 2006, 09:56 AM) [snapback]145351[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

What exactly are you studying?

Personally, if I were considering you for some sort of job, I'd be more impressed with the India one than the Jamaica one (Som's quote summed up my impression of that one), and even though you're a lot closer to India than Jamaica, I also agree that the opportunity to go to India may be harder to come by.

Also, it being such a wildly different culture, it might be nice to get an intro through an organized study opportunity, and then go back on your own. Also, India appeals more to me, though I can't stand the heat, myself!

[/b]

Heh, I'm actually studying studio art, so it's totally unrelated to either course. :P I am minoring in Asian Studies, but mainly East Asian. This trip is more for the hell of it, as is most of my college career up to this point...

I'll probably set my sights on India for now and head out to the Carribean later when I can go on vacation and be a beach bum rather than having to actually do work I guess.

**space virgin** · 11-21-2006, 09:30 AM

Having just been there, I would obviously vote for India-- especially since you'll be going with a group. Normally I scoff at organized travels (except for studies, like you're doing) but with India it's really not a bad idea. India can be extraordinarily difficult to navigate on your own, at least at first, but with some sort of structure you'll get waaaay more out of the trip.

foofiter · 11-22-2006, 12:02 AM

India. You can get flights from US-Jamaica for WAY less than india. And you could do it on your own and smoke more ganja

But seriously, with only a $700 difference I would go with India and see something that is farther and harder to get too as opposed to close in. You could even do a cruise to Jamaica if you wanted sometime later.

Thats what I think! See you in Hanoi!

Foo

**expatben** · 11-22-2006, 07:10 PM

I would say India but both are contries I must see one day.

**freespiritz** · 01-10-2007, 11:34 AM

Just found out that India will be a no-go, thanks to bad communication between the college and students who were off campus.

Sob sob.

I'm going to find out more about Jamaica tomorrow, but can't decide if I want to hold out for this year in hope of something better for next year.

petalbear · 01-12-2007, 05:10 AM

Heya! Sorry to hear about India [I'd vote for that] but then maybe Jamaica will work. Four continents/four years in college..sounds cool!

**freespiritz** · 01-18-2007, 08:18 PM

I got my acceptance for the Jamaica program today...just need to see how much money they're going to give me now!

**Esterina** · 01-18-2007, 08:59 PM

Congrats !