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6 Best Subjects to Study Abroad in India

Published on November 8, 2019

You’ll be flying through the city on a yellow rickshaw, dipping your fingers into spicy curry, and avoiding cows wherever you walk. Studying abroad in India is a fantastic opportunity to deepen and add rich perspective to your education (and for so many more reasons!). 

One of the greatest stigmas attached to studying abroad is that classes aren’t offered that will count towards a student’s major or minor, which might delay graduation. While in specific circumstances this might be true, there is an abundant amount of classes that cater towards a student’s field and timely graduation — and fortunately that holds true for study abroad programs in India! 

The Taj Mahal from a distance

You’ll learn about the love story behind the Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, while studying abroad in India.

Choosing to use your elective credits towards diverse subjects abroad or choosing a minor that complements your study abroad experience will bring much more depth to your education while keeping you on track to graduate.

This will also set you apart from other students in your field. If you can express how your unique elective credits or choice of minor in another country contributes to your future career, you’re galaxies ahead of other students.

All that being said, what exactly are the best subjects to study in India? We’ve compiled a few of the most interesting and relevant; however, there are many subjects available to study abroad in India!

Which subjects should I study in India? 

Don’t be afraid of choosing subjects that are interesting and nontraditional for your major. If you can uniquely relate what you’re studying to your major, it can be a huge advantage.

For example: If you’re majoring in business marketing and you decide to take classes in women’s studies, you could tell future employers that what sets you apart from other young professionals is that you can effectively recognize culturally sensitive content. You can discuss your eye for ads that address a focus on gender. Got it?

Family on a motorbike

Studying women’s studies in India will bring awareness to the different layers of obstacles that women face across the world.

1. Women’s Studies

Women’s studies is one of the most interesting subjects you can take when studying abroad in India. It is relevant in India’s culture, religion, and can be seen in day-to-day life across any continent on the globe, but especially in India.

Did you know women’s studies encompasses the study of cultures and men? Whether you take one class or decide to make it your minor, women’s studies is a field that is relevant to every aspect of life past graduation. It’s a massive subject that addresses matters that affect everyone. 

When exploring options for women’s studies courses, note that many courses from other subjects have the potential to substitute for women’s issues courses. Many gender studies courses also count towards women’s studies as well as religious courses that touch on women and gender issues.

Meeting with a women’s studies advisor and going through all class options is a crucial step in getting access to courses that will transfer over and earn approval for substitutions.

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2. Religious Studies 

Studying religious studies in India will be one of the most captivating educational experiences as a student. When you set foot in India you will be surrounded by small temples. You’ll see depictions of gods and goddesses hanging from rickshaw windows, painted over entrances, and shrines can be observed at the bottom of trees or in between businesses. These new and riveting experiences will pose hundreds of questions.

Hindu shrine

Hindu shrines can be found throughout the streets of India, this one in the holiest city in India — Banaras.

Luckily, you’ll have opportunities to ask all of these questions in the classroom. You’ll be intensely learning about everything you observe during a simple walk down the street. Not only will you be able to understand what you witness and experience on a day-to-day basis, you’ll learn about the intricasies of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam. 

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3. Philosophy

Studying philosophy in India offers a deep historical tie to the root of all philosophy. India is home to the oldest texts in the world. Some depict the relationship between the human mind and mythmaking. Other ancient texts contain the first human grasp of spirituality. There is no better place to learn about the root of a subject than from its birthplace

Studying philosophy outside of your home country, specifically in India, is extremely advantageous to your major because you’ll be exposed to the influential philosophers in a different part of the world. This will deepen your knowledge of the subject, give you a new perspective, and you’ll be able to contribute new information to assignments and in your classes at your home university. 

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4. History 

Varanasi, India

Choosing history to study in India is choosing to study the ancient streets of Varanasi, the life of Gandhi, and the historical clashes between religions.

Studying the history of India is fascinating because India is home to one of the oldest cities in the world: Varanasi. The relationship between religion and culture will be unpacked in classes and captivate any listener.

India’s history also contains some of the most influential people in the world including Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore. There is no better place to study history than the home of the most ancient cities in the world that also produced one of the most important historical figures. 

This subject is unique to India because there are events taking place currently that are rooted in India’s history. You’ll learn about the historical past of India and Pakistan’s border and why it is still an area of tension, specifically in 2019, as well as the relationships between different religions over the years.

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5. Sociology 

Studying sociology in India will contribute to almost any major and the diversity of India’s population makes sociology an extremely interesting subject to study. Take a close look at the origin of human behavior in India and see how it has changed throughout history. Also, explore the relationship religion has had on this development.

Sociology in India is interesting because of the intricacies that exist in Indian society: caste, religion, the family structure, rural versus urban communities, population, and poverty. This diverse group of complexities can only be found in India. This means studying sociology in India will be one of a kind.

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6. Political Science & Politics 

Studying political science and politics in India is especially unique because of the fusion of religion and culture with politics. India is one of the most densely populated countries in the world with over 1.3 billion people and studying how politics weaves between people and culture will be fascinating.

Religion and politics are historically separated but India is a country that prides itself on religion, so this relationship can get tricky. Studying religion in India will expose you to new and interesting cases, debates, and laws. It will expand your thinking of how the government interacts with culture and religion. You’ll leave with a broadened view of politics and new inspiration. 

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Opportunities for studying abroad in India are endless!

The backwaters of Kerala, India

If you choose India, study abroad will become a deep, challenging, and beautiful experience.

There are numerous options when picking subjects to study abroad in India; however, women’s studies, religion, philosophy, history, sociology, and political science are some of the best choices to study in India.

Your experience in the classroom with any of these subjects will offer new perspectives and outlooks as they relate to India’s culture and history. Future employers will recognize the value behind wanting to challenge yourself academically and personally. 

In India, a study abroad experience will be much more than an opportunity to travel and learn. When you study in India, you’ll face adjustment challenges, your insecurities will rise to the surface, and it will challenge your privilege and ignorance.

The experience will have a lasting impact on you and there is no greater education than one that creates a more open minded individual.

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