Hospitality of Indian People

parktho · Jul 7th, 2007, 03:52

Hey,

I'm the one who's been deciding whether to stay in AC or not when I go to university in Manipal near Mangalore. I have a friend that has attended this university, and she recommended the AC hostel over non-AC hostels as the AC hostels will be full of international students, and the non-AC hostels will be full of Indians who "mite nt be very receptive of th international crowd". She recommended that if I do go for non-AC hostels, I apply for the post-grad hostel option as they may be more mature.

My question...will it be possible for me to get to know the Indians I will be living with - more specifically Indian men, as dorms are separated by sexes? I have always heard good reports of Indian hospitality, but I don't want to go along and find I have the worst six months of my life!

Any advice appreciated!

Thomas.

crvlvr · Jul 7th, 2007, 04:48

I don't think you can't expect much hospitality at dorms/hotels. They are students after all. BTW, what program will you be joining there?

gautam · Jul 7th, 2007, 07:32

It depends on what college & its reputation

capt_mahajan · Jul 7th, 2007, 08:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by parktho

Hey,

..and she recommended the AC hostel over non-AC hostels as the AC hostels will be full of international students, and the non-AC hostels will be full of Indians who "mite nt be very receptive of th international crowd".

Don't think this is true. Many will be at least curious, some will be friendly, and I think you will make some Indian friends. Should add to your experience, rather than being segregated.

Though, like crvlvr says, students are not really hospitable.. they have stricter budgets

. Friendly, some will be. Maybe even a majority.

nvik16 · Jul 7th, 2007, 09:31

Well yeah that might be a problem . I dunno , if you want I have some contacts there , they might help you out . Well I used to stay in an apartment with other guys . That worked out better for us. You might wanna look into it . Well yeah sexes have different dorms. You should not have any problem. I never had any , depends on how you take it . Well you know students will be students

parktho · Jul 7th, 2007, 14:43

Friendliness might be a better word to replace what I meant by hospitible. I want to be able to make plenty of Indian friends whilst staying there...don't want to only meet and get to know international students. Do students in India, or in particular, MAHE have the same relaxed attitude to life and people that students in countries such as Australia?

I am taking the Bachelor in Biotechnology whilst there - I am doing as part of my Bachelor of Science at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia in an exchange program.

Familyonthemove · Jul 7th, 2007, 16:00

From my own experience (I've been to most the States in India now except Bihar, Kashmir and UP) you will find people are friendly everywhere - but you may need to start the contact.

As a foreigner you'll get a blank stare ... but if you smile back and say 'hi' ... you'll get a beaming smile and will know each others families, homes, jobs, marriage status, wages and aspirations within 10 minutes!

Nick-H · Jul 7th, 2007, 16:47

Students the world over tend to be a cliquey lot.

Very likely you'll find one forms around you!

uligaen · Jul 7th, 2007, 17:53

I studied one semester in Delhi (JNU) and no problem making friends, particularly some of my classmates were/are really good guys. Of course a lot must come from your side and you must be open to join them in whatever they do. I liked drinking chai till three o'clock in the night... (Some, but not so many as in 'west', also enjoy having a few beers...)

You will definitely draw lot of (male) attention as a female westerner. I am sure it's possible to find a husband for you...

"the same relaxed attitude to life and people": hmmm, I met a lot of students who do share this, but also others who take it very serious what they do. People who are totally committed to their task of going on in life and who want to achieve something, change their country, save the environment etc. You can't take going to an university for granted in India, so many do give an effort in their studies.

nvik16 · Jul 7th, 2007, 23:55

You getting along with people will depend on your social skills . Give it a try , I hope you will enjoy it . People at manipal are really friendly . True being a foreigner might be an "obstacle" > don't worry you should be alright.

ba9rn · Jul 8th, 2007, 00:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by uligaen

You will definitely draw lot of (male) attention as a female westerner. I am sure it's possible to find a husband for you...

According to his profile, parktho is male!

machadinha · Jul 8th, 2007, 00:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by parktho

I have a friend that has attended this university, and she recommended the AC hostel over non-AC hostels as the AC hostels will be full of international students, and the non-AC hostels will be full of Indians who "mite nt be very receptive of th international crowd".

Quote:

Originally Posted by capt_mahajan

Don't think this is true. Many will be at least curious, some will be friendly, and I think you will make some Indian friends. Should add to your experience, rather than being segregated.

I really don't see the problem either. You're going there to experience something local (among other things) right? So dive right in I'd say. If it turns out not to work at all, you can always look on for another place to stay.

parktho · Jul 8th, 2007, 04:52

I'd just like to confirm that I am a male, and don't wish to draw any male attention along the lines of finding a husband!!! Lol.

I'm going to give it a go in the non-AC hostels.

Cheers, Thomas.

** jeanneleez ** · Jul 8th, 2007, 07:51

I was an exchange student in Mumbai attending Sir J.J. College of Architecture. I stayed with a Parsi family, and I have to say, the first few weeks were really lonely. It turned out the ladies in my class were intimidated by this brash young American girl and the guys didn't understand why I would ask such direct questions and debate with the professors in class. After a while (involving an incident with a kite stealing my sandwich while I was having lunch in the courtyard and me screaming like a three year old when many of the fifth year and second year students were coming out of lectures - they laughed hysterically) I became a human being to them and no longer this oddity in the room. As long as you are open to learning about this wonderful new culture you are immersed in and respect it as it is (even though I did ask "why" a lot), you'll get along fine. My Indian classmates were the warmest, most understanding and accepting of any culture I've experienced - even my own. They appreciated my fondness for them and their culture and I certainly appreciated their patience and understanding of me. :-)

Go for it. What's the worst that could happen? Either way, you'll meet people that will be friends for a lifetime.

--Jeanne

Nick-H · Jul 8th, 2007, 11:45

Great story

Jul 7th, 2007, 03:52	#1
parktho Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Brisbane, Australia. Posts: 12	Hospitality of Indian People Hey, I'm the one who's been deciding whether to stay in AC or not when I go to university in Manipal near Mangalore. I have a friend that has attended this university, and she recommended the AC hostel over non-AC hostels as the AC hostels will be full of international students, and the non-AC hostels will be full of Indians who "mite nt be very receptive of th international crowd". She recommended that if I do go for non-AC hostels, I apply for the post-grad hostel option as they may be more mature. My question...will it be possible for me to get to know the Indians I will be living with - more specifically Indian men, as dorms are separated by sexes? I have always heard good reports of Indian hospitality, but I don't want to go along and find I have the worst six months of my life! Any advice appreciated! Thomas. Last edited by parktho : Jul 8th, 2007 at 04:54.

Jul 7th, 2007, 07:32	#3
gautam Super Mode Join Date: May 2005 Location: Chandigarh - Blore NON-STOP Posts: 708	It depends on what college & its reputation __________________ "Your thoughts could be your prison" My pics on flickr Kerela backwaters - by beach

Jul 7th, 2007, 09:31	#5
nvik16 Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: usa Posts: 27	manipal Well yeah that might be a problem . I dunno , if you want I have some contacts there , they might help you out . Well I used to stay in an apartment with other guys . That worked out better for us. You might wanna look into it . Well yeah sexes have different dorms. You should not have any problem. I never had any , depends on how you take it . Well you know students will be students

Jul 7th, 2007, 16:47	#8
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,771	Students the world over tend to be a cliquey lot. Very likely you'll find one forms around you! __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Jul 7th, 2007, 23:55	#10
nvik16 Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: usa Posts: 27	you are taking this way too seriously You getting along with people will depend on your social skills . Give it a try , I hope you will enjoy it . People at manipal are really friendly . True being a foreigner might be an "obstacle" > don't worry you should be alright.

Jul 7th, 2007, 04:48	#2
crvlvr Guru Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Hollywood Posts: 4,473	I don't think you can't expect much hospitality at dorms/hotels. They are students after all. BTW, what program will you be joining there?

Jul 7th, 2007, 14:43	#6
parktho Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Brisbane, Australia. Posts: 12	Friendliness might be a better word to replace what I meant by hospitible. I want to be able to make plenty of Indian friends whilst staying there...don't want to only meet and get to know international students. Do students in India, or in particular, MAHE have the same relaxed attitude to life and people that students in countries such as Australia? I am taking the Bachelor in Biotechnology whilst there - I am doing as part of my Bachelor of Science at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia in an exchange program.

Jul 7th, 2007, 16:00	#7
Familyonthemove Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 274	From my own experience (I've been to most the States in India now except Bihar, Kashmir and UP) you will find people are friendly everywhere - but you may need to start the contact. As a foreigner you'll get a blank stare ... but if you smile back and say 'hi' ... you'll get a beaming smile and will know each others families, homes, jobs, marriage status, wages and aspirations within 10 minutes!

Jul 7th, 2007, 17:53	#9
uligaen Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Back home for now Posts: 34	I studied one semester in Delhi (JNU) and no problem making friends, particularly some of my classmates were/are really good guys. Of course a lot must come from your side and you must be open to join them in whatever they do. I liked drinking chai till three o'clock in the night... (Some, but not so many as in 'west', also enjoy having a few beers...) You will definitely draw lot of (male) attention as a female westerner. I am sure it's possible to find a husband for you... "the same relaxed attitude to life and people": hmmm, I met a lot of students who do share this, but also others who take it very serious what they do. People who are totally committed to their task of going on in life and who want to achieve something, change their country, save the environment etc. You can't take going to an university for granted in India, so many do give an effort in their studies.

Jul 8th, 2007, 04:52	#13
parktho Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Brisbane, Australia. Posts: 12	I'd just like to confirm that I am a male, and don't wish to draw any male attention along the lines of finding a husband!!! Lol. I'm going to give it a go in the non-AC hostels. Cheers, Thomas.

Jul 8th, 2007, 07:51	#14
jeanneleez Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Settling Down in Calcutta Posts: 45	Don't worry about it. I was an exchange student in Mumbai attending Sir J.J. College of Architecture. I stayed with a Parsi family, and I have to say, the first few weeks were really lonely. It turned out the ladies in my class were intimidated by this brash young American girl and the guys didn't understand why I would ask such direct questions and debate with the professors in class. After a while (involving an incident with a kite stealing my sandwich while I was having lunch in the courtyard and me screaming like a three year old when many of the fifth year and second year students were coming out of lectures - they laughed hysterically) I became a human being to them and no longer this oddity in the room. As long as you are open to learning about this wonderful new culture you are immersed in and respect it as it is (even though I did ask "why" a lot), you'll get along fine. My Indian classmates were the warmest, most understanding and accepting of any culture I've experienced - even my own. They appreciated my fondness for them and their culture and I certainly appreciated their patience and understanding of me. :-) Go for it. What's the worst that could happen? Either way, you'll meet people that will be friends for a lifetime. --Jeanne __________________ -- Jeanne http://american-in-calcutta.blogspot.com/ "The world is moving so fast these days that the man who says it can't be done is generally interrupted by someone doing it." Harry Emerson Fosdick

Jul 8th, 2007, 11:45	#15
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,771	Great story

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