I love all kinds of music. I could be listening to George Strait one minute and a Bollywood chart topper the next, my taste in music is that eclectic — but my favorite genre has always been rock ‘n roll.

I really love going to concerts and belting out the lyrics of my favorite songs, listening to the extended guitar solos, and being part of the interaction between a band and their audience is something I can’t get enough of.

Unfortunately, rock bands on tour in India are virtually nonexistent, which left me in need of a rock concert fix. In my initial search the lists of regional rock festivals that had already passed me by during the past semester disheartened me. Thankfully, I eventually stumbled upon a list of college-fests in India.

There it was: the perfect blend of music, destination and interaction with Indian college students — the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore’s (IIMB) Unmaad ’17, the annual music and arts festival. Not only has a great Hindi rock band, The Local Train, performing a free concert, but the college also had three days’ worth of fun workshops, contests and activities to participate in with students from across South India.

So after a short flight the morning of Republic Day (the date the constitution of India was enacted), I found myself in Bangalore and already headed to fill my first “rock prescription” at none other than the Hard Rock Cafe. Whenever I am in a city that has a Hard Rock Cafe, I try my best to go. The countless pieces of rock memorabilia and live music draw me in every time.

I also ended up having a great time watching the India vs. England cricket match with the employees and a solitary British man trying to explain the game to me.

The next day was the start of Unmaad, and it did not disappoint. I watched some great solo singing performances ranging from traditional to contemporary and hit English pop songs. I witnessed a 13-year-old play such amazing rock-twisted classical music on an electric guitar, which made all my accomplishments seem to pale in comparison. I even attempted a murder mystery contest, which was enjoyable even though I was horrible at it.

As 5:30 p.m. crept closer and closer my anticipation steadily grew, and before I knew it I was sitting on the grass of the campus’s outdoor amphitheater only a few feet from the railing. The concert was amazing not only because of the band, but also because of how ordinary and free it made me feel. I felt like any other college student enjoying a concert instead of studying or reading papers for class, just screaming lyrics and laughing at the band’s jokes between sets.

Each night at Unmaad there was also an “unplugged event” starting at 10 p.m. and continuing until 3 a.m. where people performed, sang karaoke and played board games. It was a great way to relax and talk to fellow students from different colleges around South India. Whether bonding over music, mutual uncertainty about our performance in exams, or the popular topic of lack of sleep, it was easy to connect.

So I challenge everyone who studies abroad to try to find excursions like this. Break away from the routine of simply traveling to see sights, and invest in some experiences. Anything from asking someone to explain an unfamiliar sport playing on TV to attending a college-fest can bring forth the most amazing experiences.