This is a list that I have been compiling over the last months of my stay in India. Here are a few things that I did not know before coming and some that I wish I had known.
1. You will get used to all of the people. After your first experience of being squished in a train during rush hour you will be desensitized to the amount of people on the street and in public areas.
Rush hour on the train.
2. The power outages are as normal as tea breaks. They happen each afternoon and sometimes in the morning. 
3. Everyone you meet will have an interesting story to share from the first time that you meet them. Literally everyone from the shopkeeper to the professors.
A shopkeeper we meet on the beach named Gopi.
4. You will get used to the food, love it, and will most likely not get sick. Now I’m just lugging around medicine that I am hoping I will never have to use.
South Indian Thali
5. Practice your answer inside and out for the reason why you chose India as your study aboard experience. Many bewildered people will ask you, “Wait. You choose India. Why?!”
6. By the second week the daunting experience of having to walk through a steady flowing trafficked road will become as easy as using a squatty potty.
Calm road in Tambaram. Pro tip: look all directions before crossing.
7. You will get messy while eating food. Its okay, there are hand wash stations in all eating facilities. Also you will be able to somewhat tear into the bread with only your right hand.
8. People will openly stare at you and ask for selfies.
9. The temples and the nature will take your breath away.
Srirangam Tample in Trichy
Group photo infron tof Srirangam Tample in trichy
Two female elephants and one baby elephant. Seen on a safari in Bandipur.
Curious monkey that proceeded to jump into the bus.
10. Before the trip is over you know you will miss this beautiful country, the people, and the food. But most importantly you will miss the group that has been through it all with you.
First group picture in Pondicherry
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