Yanik Koch

Q1) What is the general perception of India in your home country? Are those perceptions correct? In your opinion, what are India's greatest strengths?

• We perceive India as a poor country, with a very bad economy. But after coming here, I realised that the poverty here is same as in any other country, say my own for that matter.
• My folks believe India to be dangerous. This is one of the reasons my parents were unwilling to send me here, and said that they would rather that I do not go for exchange. However, now that I have experienced the actual environment here, I would say that I never once felt unsecure during my stay. Even most of the strangers were friendly and readily helped me. Now I feel safe even when I go out at night.

Q2) Has your experience here helped you gain an appreciation of how the world is interconnected on all levels (environmental, socio-cultural and geopolitical)? If so, can you cite specific examples? 

• Everyone is open minded and not interested in your religion, but rather they want to connect with you on the basis of common activities and hobbies that you share.
• The behaviour of Indians is akin to Germans, as they are always ready to help out someone in need.
• Most of the packaged products and food items available here are similar to other countries.

Q3) In your opinion, what are India's greatest strengths?

People here are friendly, good natured and open minded.

Q4) What are the biggest differences you see between the college experience here and in your home country? 

The biggest difference I want to point out is that in India, there is a very strict attendance policy, which serves no purpose for either the students or the professors, and is rather counter intuitive. There are way too many minors and assignments we get. This puts unnecessary pressure on us and encourages rote learning.

Q5) What do you like the most/the least about India? What do you miss the most about your home country?

• Indian’s are friendly and good natured people. They are well informed both on national and international issue, and are a great source of trivia. Indian’s are really passionate about developing their country and making it proud, which reflects in the hard work they put in.
• There are not many trees in India, and the vegetation is sparsely distributed. For example, in Germany we have a long stretch of woods with different kinds of trees, which provides a relaxing view as well as recreational benefits.