The Feeling of Jalsa
Where diamonds shine, fabrics dazzle, and every meal is a celebration — Surat lives the jalsa way with unmatched energy and joy.
Surat is the diamond and textile capital of India — a city that produces 90% of the world's cut and polished diamonds and weaves some of the finest fabrics on earth. Beyond the gems, Surat is celebrated for its legendary street food, the bustling Hazira beach, and a community spirit that welcomes all with warmth and enthusiasm.
For exchange participants, Surat offers a window into Gujarat's thriving business culture, incredible cuisine, and the iconic Surti way of life — always vibrant, always festive, always welcoming.
What makes Surat unforgettable.
Surat cuts and polishes more than 90% of the world's diamonds — 14 of every 15 diamonds on earth pass through a workshop here before appearing in a jewellery store anywhere. The Surat Diamond Bourse, opened in 2023, is the world's largest office building and the formal centrepiece of this trade. The scale of what happens in the city's polishing units is extraordinary to witness.
The Hazira coastline stretches along the Gulf of Khambhat with a quality of evening light and a relative absence of crowds that makes it more pleasant than Surat's famous beach reputation might suggest. The adjacent Hazira industrial port — one of India's largest LNG terminals — provides a striking industrial backdrop to the fishing boats and family picnickers. It is most rewarding in the late afternoon.
Surat is consistently ranked India's top city for food — not for fine dining, but for the density and quality of its street food across a uniquely Surti repertoire: Locho, Ghari, Undhiyu, Ponk, and Surti dal all exist here in forms impossible to find anywhere else. The food stalls around Chowk Bazaar are the best introduction. Eating in Surat is the primary reason many Indians visit.
Surat's fabric markets — Textile Market, Ring Road, and the wholesale lanes of Sahara Darwaja — are among the largest in Asia, handling artificial silk, embroidered georgette, and synthetic fabric for distribution across India and export to 100 countries. Walking through them is disorienting in scale — the volume of cloth, colour, and commercial activity compressed into a few square kilometres is an education in how Indian fashion actually works.
On 14 January each year, Surat's sky becomes a battlefield of thousands of competing kites from before dawn until after midnight. Uttarayan here is even more intensely competitive than Ahmedabad's — local teams string their own manjha, maintain kite-fighting records across years, and treat the day as the most important social event of the calendar. For exchange participants, the rooftop experience during Uttarayan is among the most memorable days on any India exchange.
The black sand beach at Dumas, 21 kilometres south of Surat, has an unmistakable atmosphere — the colour of the sand, the quality of the light, and the relative emptiness compared to more famous beaches make it a genuinely distinctive environment. The seafood restaurants behind the beach serve the fresh catch from fishing boats with minimal ceremony. It is best visited in the early morning or near sunset.
The Dutch Garden in central Surat is a remnant of the era when this city was one of the most important trading ports in the world — the tombs of Dutch and British merchants who died here in the 17th and 18th centuries stand in a garden that was once the foreign quarter of a Mughal commercial capital. It is a brief but historically fascinating stop that most visitors to Surat miss entirely.
Surat's transformation over three decades — from flood-damaged, plague-scarred city in the 1990s to one of India's cleanest and fastest-growing — is one of the most dramatic urban turnaround stories in the country. The diamond and textile industries drove the initial recovery; professional services and financial institutions are now adding a second layer. For exchange participants, being here during this phase of growth is an instructive experience.
Everything you need to know before arriving in Surat.
Options include hostels, host families, and shared flats — ideally within a 4 km radius of your workplace. Your local committee will help arrange everything.
Surat is affordable — expect ₹7,000–9,000/month for food, travel, and daily expenses.
Navigate via Surat BRTS, city buses, auto-rickshaws, and Ola/Uber. The city is compact and generally easy to get around.
You'll need a valid Indian visa for your exchange. Your local committee will provide a detailed visa guide and assist with the application process.
Well-equipped hospitals are available throughout Surat. Your LC will provide emergency contacts and healthcare guidance.
Gujarati is the primary language; Hindi and English are widely understood, especially in markets and offices.
Pick up a Jio or Airtel SIM on arrival. Excellent 4G/5G coverage throughout the city.
Surat is a largely vegetarian city — many eateries serve pure veg food. Dress modestly at religious sites and respect local customs.
Three ways to experience Surat through AIESEC.
A 6–8 week volunteering exchange program for ages 18–30, focused on sustainable development goals. Make a tangible impact on local communities while immersing yourself in Surat's vibrant culture.
A professional internship experience designed to accelerate your career development in a global setting. Work with Surat's growing industries and gain real-world professional skills.
Bridge educational gaps by teaching in Surat's schools and communities. Develop culturally responsive pedagogy while making a lasting impact on young Indian learners.
Your dedicated team in Surat, ready to make your exchange experience exceptional.
Reach out to our national team for any questions about exchanges in Surat.
