Study in India

Pondicherry is located in the state of Tamil Nadu, the most southernly state of India, and has a population of approximately 700,000 (a mediumsized town by Indian standards). The town lies about  150 kilometres south of Chennai (Madras), India’s fourth largest city. The ethnic majority is Tamil, and Hinduism is the most widespread religious domination. Pondicherry lies on the coast and therefore offers good swimming opportunities at the beaches outside the town. A considerable proportion of the people can speak English. Pondicherry is a former French colony, and the town bears evidence of this to the present day as it is divided into an Indian part and a French part. The architecture and the atmosphere in the French part are more reminiscent of a small French town, while the Indian section is more like other towns in southern Indian – pulsating, colourful and more densely populated.

The study centre is located in beautiful surroundings where the river meets the beach south of Pondicherry. There are lecture halls, reading rooms, a cafeteria and a lovely beach. Our bus runs between the student accommodation in Pondicherry and the study centre.

The accommodation consists of places of residence in the central part of the town. In general all students will share a room with one to three others, although single rooms are available at an additional cost. The food in Pondicherry is generally very good and reasonably priced. Since Pondicherry was a French colony there are several French-Indian restaurants that offer meals in different price categories.

Activities. Twenty kilometres north of Pondicherry lies Auroville. This community was created for those who wish to live according to the philosophy of the guru Sri Aurobindos. Almost 1,500 people live there, representing a total of 30 nationalities, and it is spread over a large area that extends from the beach several tens of kilometres into the surroundings. Everything from agricultural products to textiles and jewellery are produced in Auroville. The residents are accustomed to tourists, and because of its proximity to Pondicherry the place is frequently visited.

The village of Mahabalipuram lies around 80 kilometres north of Pondicherry. The village is famous for its beach temples from the Pallava dynasty dating from approximately 800 A.D. The swimming is excellent, and the village can offer a wide range of restaurants and shops. This is one of the few places in south-east India where ‘backpacker’ tourism has developed.
Recently renamed Chennai, Madras, is just a twohour drive north of Pondicherry. For those who would like to experience an Indian city of a population of millions it is worth spending a weekend there


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