Go! Go forth to India and live! There's nothing that I've done that has been more expanding, more eye-opening, and more exciting all at once. I'd recommend this experience to anyone looking to learn a little about themselves and the world, but more about the vastness of all that there is to be learned, and the pleasure of learning it experientially.
--Julia Bloch, "From Brahma to Buddha" India semester alumna

Whenever I meet a 'foreigner', I always have the same feeling: 'I am meeting another member of the human family.' This attitude has deepened my affection and respect for all beings. May this natural wish be my small contribution to world peace. I pray for a more friendly, more caring, and more understanding human family on this planet. To all those who dislike suffering, who cherish lasting happiness, this is my heartfelt appeal.
--Tenzin Gyatso, the XIV Dalai Lama of Tibet

Exploring a traditional village perched on the Tibetan Plateau. Sipping butter tea around a kitchen fire. Smelling jasmine flowers and curries sold in the bazaar. Listening to horns and bells echo over ancient monastery walls. Watching colorful prayer flags blowing in the wind on top of a Himalayan mountain pass. Throughout this cultural immersion program, we will live and study in the country that gave birth to two of the world's major religions--Hinduism and Buddhism--and will travel amid some of the most spectacular landscapes on earth. On this journey, we will meet many of the people who keep ancient traditions and spiritual practices alive, including possible audiences with the Dalai Lama and/or the Karmapa. And at the same time we will witness and study the forces of modernization and globalization that are influencing all aspects of traditional ways of life.

Though it is impossible to predict the most memorable experience you will have during the Global LAB India semester, those who choose to participate can expect to embark on a journey of discovery that may well last a lifetime.

Continue reading "Semester Overview" »

Posted by Global LAB at 9:07 PM | Permalink

2011 India Spring Semester Tuition is $10,595. Tuition includes residential pre-trip orientation in the US; preparatory and educational materials; dedicated student website for program communications and resources; all logistical facilitation; all hotels and guest houses; all meals; all domestic air fares/taxis/buses/trains/boats; museum, park and temple entrance fees; Global LAB faculty and instruction as well as local coordinators, cooks, porters; all program elements (independent study projects and apprenticeships, community service projects, home-stays, guest lectures, community support/charitable contributions).

Please note: Additional expenses not covered by Global LAB include r/t international airfare and costs of domestic travel to point of departure (NYC), inoculations, travel insurance and international medical and evacuation insurance; visa/passport processing fees; personal costs (laundry, phone calls/emails, souvenirs, etc.).

Semesters are open to those ages 17-21. While Global LAB semesters are geared toward interim or 'gap' year students, high school seniors as well as university students are welcome to apply. No language prerequisite is required.

Global LAB accepts applications on a rolling admissions basis, accepting qualified applicants until programs are full. Each program has a maximum of 12 participants and 3 Global LAB instructors. For this reason, we recommend candidates submit their applications as early as possible.

To begin the application process, print out the preliminary application and FAQ below:
* Application Form
* FAQ

Posted by Global LAB at 7:35 PM | Permalink

Hello Everyone!

I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself since I will be the primary point of contact between the leaders in the field and Global LAB. Having led the India Spring 2009 program and managed those since, I know that the students will have an incredible experience. This is truly a program of a lifetime! Over the course of the semester, I will be supporting the group from here in the USA. Be sure to keep checking the blog as I will be updating it when internet is inaccessible for the group. Please feel free to contact me at deborah@global-lab.org.

Here is a little bit more about me...

Continue reading "Greetings from Deborah Friedman, Director of Asia Programs" »

Posted by Global LAB at 9:07 PM | Permalink

Hi Everyone,

I'm looking forward to meeting all of you soon and having a great adventure together in India, where I am currently leading the fall semester program.

Here's a quick bit of background information about me:

I got my B.A from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I took a NOLS Semester in the Pacific Northwest while in college, followed by a year studying abroad in Santiago, Chile. Since then I've traveled extensively throughout India and much of South America.

I am passionate about organic farming, yoga, traveling, outdoor adventure, and experiential learning. I have been leading backpacking, mountaineering and sea kayaking trips with the National Outdoor Leadership School since 2006 in India, Patagonia, Baja, Alaska, and Idaho.

I am also a certified yoga instructor and am currently teaching yoga to incarcerated youth in Seattle. I'm also currently a student studying to become a certified massage therapist....only to continue to explore the world:).

See you soon,

Ellie

Posted by Global LAB at 9:07 PM | Permalink

Hello. My name is Sonam, but you can also call me Peter. I was born on the 10th of March, in 1979, in small village called Changthang Nyoma in Leh, Ladakh to a family of nomads. At a young age, I was sent to the Tibetan Childrens' Village School located in the town of Choglamsar, in Ladakh. After the 10th class, I completed two additional years at a school in South India and then completed my college-level courses at Delhi University in the field of Business. In March of 2000, I started to work in the travel business IATO (India Association of Tours Operation) company at New Delhi as a travel coordinator. I stayed with the company for six years.

In 2005, I started my own travel business company at New Delhi in the name of SP Travels 24/7 and soon after began collaborating with Global LAB on all of their India cultural immersion programs. I now work with a dedicated team, which combines the dynamism of youth with the experiences of age, to ensure a memorable tour experience to all participants. This work has allowed me to develop a good relationship with the native people that you will be meeting in Delhi and Dharamsala. I look forward to sharing with you the actual lifestyle and culture of the people you will meet.

With regards,

Sonam (Peter)

Posted by Global LAB at 9:07 PM | Permalink

• Researcher • Educator • Meditator •

Shivani holds her masters in Science of Living. Her area of interest is research and experimental work in the field of education, teaching and training methods. She is currently working on her doctoral degree on developing non-violent behavior among children. As an educator, her major focus is value education among children and youth. She delivers lectures on themes like education, non-violence, yoga & meditation at several institutes.

She closely interacts and observes the practitioners and preachers of ahimsa ("to do no harm") and self-discipline. Thus she regularly visitsJain monks and nuns to draw upon inspiration from the ancient teachings. Her increasing curiosity has led her to actively participate in peace walks, seminars and camps organized at various spiritual platforms.

She is a strong believer and practitioner of yoga and meditation. She has crafted a unique minimalist lifestyle for herself to live in peace within and harmony with the environment.

Posted by Global LAB at 9:07 PM | Permalink

Julay!

My name is Rinchen Namgial. I come from Domkar village, which is 118 km west of Leh, Ladakh. I grew up in that village, and received my high school education there and you will enjoy homestays there. Afterwards I moved to Jammu for higher secondary school and college. I graduated in history, geography, economics and English. Later I went to Jammu University where I studied Buddhist philosophy.

Continue reading "Greetings from Namgial, Ladakh Coordinator" »

Posted by Global LAB at 9:07 PM | Permalink

If you have received your notification of program acceptance and have not already done so, you should book your plane tickets with Sue Lai at Avia Travel by contacting her at Sue@aviatravel.com as soon as possible to secure your spot on the flight with the group.

Be sure to identify yourself as a member of Global LAB's Spring 2011 India Semester.

Posted by Global LAB at 9:07 PM | Permalink

The Core Travel Insurance Program: Global LAB provides the basic level of insurance for all of our program participants. Attached is a document that will provide you with information on the insurance program. If you would like to upgrade to another level of coverage, please email Core directly.

Download Global LAB's Core Travel Insurance Program FAQs here.

Posted by Deborah at 4:29 PM | Permalink

You will find step by step instructions for applying for your Indian Tourist Visa in person or by mail by going to this link.

If you use the mail-in option, turnaround time is approximately 1 week.

If you use the walk-in option, you can get your visa the same day you apply.

Feel free to contact Global LAB's admissions staff if you have any questions: admissions@global-lab.org

Posted by Global LAB at 9:32 PM | Permalink

Please be sure to read your Participant Handbook before arriving at Orientation. It is full of very important information that will help make sure you get the most out of your fall semester in India.

Global LAB Participant Handbook

Posted by Global LAB at 9:40 PM | Permalink

Students who would like to earn credit for their Global LAB semester abroad program can do so through Seattle Central Community College's Office of Cooperative Education and Service-Learning. Seattle Central is an accredited institution and credit may be transferable to your university or college. Please check with your academic advisor at your home institution to make sure that the credits will be accepted.

Register for Credit at Seattle Central Community College
Review the current courses of study offered and decide which are most relevant for you. A syllabus for each class is provided online. This is something you may want to discuss with your academic advisor.

Continue reading "Receiving College Credit" »

Posted by Deborah at 12:34 AM | Permalink

The purpose of Global LAB's Independent Study Projects (ISPs) is to enable students to identify areas of interest and to provide opportunities to pursue these interests in a non-formal environment. These projects are facilitated through one-on-one classes with experts in the field, apprenticeships, service-learning, internships, and individual research. Global LAB's Program Leaders and Local Coordinators work with each student individually to assist them in identifying interests and creating the best ISP experience possible. At the conclusion of an ISP, students present what they have learned to the group, so that we may all share in the knowledge.

Below are some examples of ISP options. This list is not exhaustive so if students have other ideas and/or interests that are not mentioned below, they should talk with their Program Leader who will work to arrange a suitable ISP. It is important that students give some thought to their ISPs prior to coming to Pre-Travel Orientation as it takes some time to arrange the ISPs in India. And be sure to check out some photos from past ISPs.

Continue reading "Independent Study Projects" »

Posted by Global LAB at 9:47 PM | Permalink

Over the past couple of semesters, Global LAB has received a lot of inquiries regarding the use of cell/smart phones on the program. So, we are updating our Pre-Program FAQ (in the student manual) to address these concerns. We thought we would post it on the blog to make sure that you see and are familiar with it.

Can I bring a cell/smart phone on the program?

As Global LAB's semester programs emphasize cultural immersion, possession of personal cell phones or smart phones (e.g. iPhones) is strongly discouraged. Personal cell/smart phones are conducive to distraction, detraction, and divisiveness: they distract from the cultural immersion experience by a perpetual connectivity to friends/family back home; they detract from appreciating the immediacy of the moment and hinder understanding/interaction with cultures lacking these technologies; and they can create divisiveness between students who possess them and those who do not, negatively affecting group dynamics. In addition, near-constant contact with family/friends often has the unintended consequence of stirring significant home-sickness which can compound into a desire to leave the program early - detrimental to fulfilling your experience and maintaining the group's cohesion.

All of Global LAB's Program Leaders and Local Coordinators carry cell phones with them 24/7, so your group can, if necessary, be in touch with the USA at any time in the event of an emergency.

Posted by Global LAB at 9:43 PM | Permalink

India Spring 2011 Packing List

He who would travel happily must travel light. - Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Lugging a heavy pack around for the entire time we are in India can be extremely tiresome for you, and for the rest of the group. There will be plenty of times when we'll be piling into a train or bus and we don't want to end up like this. Since you will be responsible for carrying your own luggage, seriously challenge yourself to pack light. An old traveler's trick is to lie out everything you think you need, then pack half of it and return the rest to your closet. Then, carry your bag around your house for 15 minutes to make sure you are able to easily carry it by yourself. If not, take some more items out! Remember, you will be able to purchase anything you forget in India.

A NOTE ON DRESS: Since we will be visitors in India, we strive to be respectful of our hosts. This means that the clothing and the way we dress will probably be different than what we are used to at home. Indian and Tibetan cultures are more modest than that of the US and showing ones shoulders, legs, and cleavage is considered extremely inappropriate and provocative. Also, in India, it is valued to look clean, put together, and respectable. By dressing in accordance with the local culture, it conveys to others "I understand I am not in my own country, I did my homework and learned about the cultural norms in India, and I respect them."

So, when packing please do not bring tank tops, sleeveless shirts, pants that come too high above your ankle (i.e. shorts, short skirts, mid calf capris), low-cut shirts, T-shirts sporting inappropriate phrases, cut-off jeans, clothing with rips or holes, tight fitting clothing, etc.

By dressing in loose fitting clothing that covers your legs and shoulders, you are being respectful to the local culture as well as protecting your safety as inappropriate clothes draw more attention to you. In addition, you are protecting your skin from the sun and mosquitoes. And, loose fitting clothing is a lot more comfortable in the heat than tight clothes!

DON'T FORGET: Any of the cold weather clothing and gear on the packing list. Your trek in the Himalaya will require appropriate protection against cold weather.

ONE LAST NOTE: We will have an opportunity to go shopping for Indian clothes shortly after arriving into the country. This clothing is lightweight and good for the hot Indian plains. Also, there will be opportunities to do "self-service" laundry where we'll be staying.

BAGS

• Internal Frame Backpack: Your main "suitcase" should be comfortable, durable, and as light as possible. You do not need to buy an expensive new backpack, just get or borrow one that is comfortable and a good fit for you. Make sure it is easy for you to carry, as you are responsible for your luggage.


• Daypack: A small backpack for daily use. This should also be your carry-on bag.


• Duffel Bag: While you'll want to be able to fit all of your things in a backpack and daypack, an extra duffel can be handy for the trip back to the U.S. This bag should be nylon and durable.


• Ziploc Bags: Like stuff sacks, these can be invaluable for keeping things organized and dry.


• Plastic Bags: This is good for wet and/or dirty clothes.

Continue reading "Get Ready, Get Set, Start Packing!" »

Posted by Global LAB at 9:35 PM | Permalink

Namaste Everyone,

We've collected a list of some highly recommended books and movies which might help you better prepare for your experiences in India. You can find many of these at your local library, and we also have several in our portable library in Delhi. There is certainly more out there, so let us know what you find.

Feel free to comment on this entry and let us all know what you've watched/read/enjoyed already!

History:

Mahatma Gandhi. (Louis Fischer, ed.) The Essential Gandhi, Vintage, 1962.

Avedon, John. In Exile From the Land of Snows, NY: A Knopf, 1984
This excellent book as it offers a clear and concise background on Tibetan culture, and details the events surrounding the occupation of Tibet by the Chinese.

Tenzin Gyatso, H. H. the Dalai Lama. My Land and My People. NY: Potala, 1983
This is an autobiographical account of the history of modern Tibet, told by His Holiness Tenzin Gyatso, the XIVth Dalai Lama. We also recommend any other publication by His Holiness such as Ethics for a New Millennium , The Art of Happiness and The World of Tibetan Buddhism.

Continue reading "Check Out these Books & Films" »

Posted by Kai at 2:23 AM | Permalink

Hi Everyone,

As you are in the midst of preparing for the semester and deciding what to pack, take a look what books Global LAB houses in its portable library in Delhi. We will have a chance to "check out" and return these books in between our core program elements while we are in Delhi (3-4 times during the program).

Books on:
India
A fine balance - Rohinton Mistry
City of Djinns - William Dalrymple
No Full Stops in India - Mark Tully
Autobiography of a yogi - Paramahansa Yogananda
India in mind - Pankaj Mishra
Banaras: City of Light - Diana l. Eck
Midnights Children - Salman Rushdie
Slowly Down the Ganges - Eric Newby
Culture shock! India - Gitanjali Kolanad
Myths and legends of India - J.M. Macfie
Holy Cow: an Indian Adventure - Sarah Macdonald
India: A Wounded Civilization - V.S. Naipaul
Lonely planet India 2005
Delhi, agra, and Jaipur travel guide - Thomas cook publishing

Continue reading "Global LAB's Portable Library in Delhi" »

Posted by Global LAB at 9:49 PM | Permalink

We hope you are actively thinking about your upcoming adventure and want to offer you some different perspectives on travel, cultural awareness, and documenting your journey.

Check out these links for starters. And feel free to comment, share your own links, ideas, questions...

5 Reasons Why Slow Travel Beats Going on Vacation

10 Indian Customs to Know Before Visiting India

Top Ten Reasons to Keep a Journal or Travel Blog

Posted by Global LAB at 9:51 PM | Permalink

Hi there. My name is Catherine and I am currently on a gap year before starting college at Dartmouth next fall.

I was born and raised in San Francisco. I am the third of four children, two boys and two girls. We also have quite a lot of pets! My favorite hobbies are theater, singing, and tennis, and I just recently picked up yoga. My favorite movie is Pan's Labyrinth, my favorite music artist is Lady Gaga, and my favorite author is Shakespeare.

I'm most likely going to major in biology, and I'm considering going to medical school. I'm actually spending two months this fall volunteering in a hospital in Accra, the capital of Ghana. I have never been to India, but I've been told it's incredible, so I'm very excited to spend three months there.

Posted by Global LAB at 11:41 PM | Permalink

Hey everyone, my name is Josephine and I am 16, 17 in October. I live in South Strafford, VT (my village is about 200 people, too small to be called a town). I keep myself busy with my high school soccer and then I play in a club league as well. Hopefully this year I'll be coaching the middle school girl's team.

I also play piano. I've recently given up classical piano for jazz, which is more my tempo. I also love the outdoors. A couple of years ago I picked up the art of climbing. I enjoy canoeing, hiking, camping, skiing, backpacking...you name it. I especially enjoy these activities when I am in a beautiful place.

When I am not gallivanting or wasting time I go to school at The Sharon Academy. The thing coolest about the Academy is the freedom to choose what I learn, which is why I will be allowed to study in India during the spring semester. In school I mainly enjoy (besides lunch) the sciences and mathematics, mainly because that's what I am good at, but also because it challenges my brain. My affinity with humor is huge and I already have smile wrinkles.

Posted by Global LAB at 12:22 AM | Permalink

Hello! My name is Jen, and I am seventeen years old. I live in a little corner outside of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, where I have grown up. Currently I am finishing my final semester in high school before we travel overseas to India. I was first introduced to the East when I travelled to Thailand two summers past. I have wanted to travel and study in India for a long time? so I?m really excited to explore it!

I am in my element when I am connected to music and nature. I enjoy practicing yoga, reading books, and playing songs. I love the piano, guitar, and the djembe, as well as other world percussion. I love people and animals (especially cats and elephants!).

I am interested in Eastern philosophy, languages, and religious studies. I plan to go into Humanities & International Studies in university.

Posted by Global LAB at 12:29 AM | Permalink

I'm Amanda, from northern California, and I'm going to be 18 in early February. I have always wanted to travel in India and Tibet. Always. During high school, journalism and the school mock trial team have been my most time consuming commitments, although I've also enjoyed playing sports and rock climbing outside of school. Of things I'm passionate about, art and creative expression-type activities seem to win my favor most of the time. I paint and sew on my own time and was working at an art store last semester. I also seem to stick my tongue out a lot, which might be a good thing since in some Himalayan cultures that's a way to say hi... apparently.

I love the back country. Hiking, backpacking, and climbing has been a huge part of my adolescence, as well as a major part of the northern California social scene I've grown up in. Living in the hills of Marin has definitely developed my taste for a change of pace, a different landscape, and as many foreign territories as I can get my hands on before college. The 2011 India semester is about to be crackin.

Posted by Deborah at 9:12 PM | Permalink

Please mark your calendars with these important dates for the Spring 2011 India Semester Program:

Thursday, February 10th - Pre-Travel Orientation in the Berkshires begins. (Details to follow.)
Saturday, February 12th - The group departs from Newark, NJ to Delhi, India
Tuesday, May 10th - The group departs from Delhi, India
Wednesday, May 11th - Early morning arrival to Newark, NJ

Stay tuned for more information on the Pre-Travel Orientation and India itinerary...

Posted by Deborah at 4:51 PM | Permalink

The Pre-Travel Orientation (PTO) will be held in Southfield, MA from Thursday, February 10th to Saturday, February 12th. Please plan on arriving in Southfield by no later than 3:00pm on the start date.

If you are driving, please see driving directions below. If you are flying to the East Coast, we would recommend that you arrive into New York as there are many public transportation options for you to get to Southfield (see below). Our travel agent, Sue (sue@aviatravel.com) would be happy to assist you with any domestic flights that need booking.

Here are the public transportation options that we recommend from New York to Southfield. A Global LAB Staff Member will pick you up at either the train or the bus and take you to the Orientation Site.

• Peter Pan Bus (www.peterpanbus.com): Take the Bonanza Bus Lines (BZ 0710) from New York, Port Authority to Canaan, MA (it is the Great Barrington bus line). This bus leaves from Port Authority at 9:00am and arrives in Canaan at 12:20pm.

• Metro-North Train (http://www.mta.info/mnr/): Take Metro-North Train from New York, Grand Central Station to Wassaic, NY. This train leaves from Grand Central Station at 11:48am and arrives in Wassaic at 2:03pm.

Please email me (deborah@global-lab.org) and let me know how you will be arriving on February 10th. Thank you.

On February 12th, the group will be traveling together to the airport for your international flight to India.

I look forward to meeting you all soon!

All the best,
Deb

Continue reading "Student Pre-Travel Orientation: February 10th" »

Posted by Deborah at 8:04 PM | Permalink

Please note: the below itinerary is planned months in advance and may change due to group interest, health and safety concerns, or other factors beyond the control of Global LAB.

In United States:

Feb 10 - 12: Group Orientation in Southfield, MA.

In India:

Feb 12 - 13: Flight to India

Feb 14 - 15: Delhi - Arrival, orientation, introductory language lessons, and visits to key cultural and religious sites in Delhi

Feb 16 - 17: Agra - visits to Taj Mahal, Keoladeo National Park, Fatehpur Sikri and other important historical sites.

Feb 18 - Mar 8: Jaipur - Homestays; Hindi language study; Guest Lectures and Field Trips on Rajasthan History and Culture and Comparative Religions such as Jainism, Hinduism, and Islam; Independent Study Projects; Excursion to Pushkar

Continue reading "Semester Itinerary" »

Posted by Deborah at 10:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The Arugamamas prepare for India

We have named our group Arugamama because it means to jump in anyway...fear and all! That word is Japanese.

We have been spending the last few days preparing for a smooth entry into this new adventure. We are in a house in the middle of nowhere and it is freezing outside and there is a lot of snow!

We have been staying cozy by the fire sitting in a circle drinking tea and talking about India. We have discussed the interconnections of the group, looked at our fears and hopes, and talked about how to stay healthy while in India. We have been bonding! Ellie even prepped us on how to use Indian squat toilets and how to take a bucket shower.

Savvy travelers learning how to register their itinerary with their embassy

We are leaving snowy New England tomorrow, bound for balmy India. We'll start the journey with a drive to Wassaic, then a train down to Manhattan, then a bus to Newark, and finally we'll settle in for an epic15-hour plane ride to the Indian Subcontinent.

Stay tuned for updates from India...

Peace out,
The Arugamamas

Posted by Amanda at 9:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

All packed and ready to go!

Jennifer and Amanda ready to board the train

All aboard!

John and I dropped the Arugamamas off at the Wassiac train station and they are making the first leg of their journey - to the Newark Airport!

It was a pleasure for us to get to know the students over the past 3 days and we are excited for them to begin their journey abroad.

We will post an update when they arrive in India!

Best,
Deb

Posted by Deborah at 8:58 PM | Permalink

India Gate, New Delhi

Peter welcomed us with khatas, the traditional TIbetan way of greeting a guest

The group has landed safely in Delhi. They collected their bags and met up with Peter, the India Local Program Leader. After arriving at the hotel, they ate a light dinner and went to sleep. They are now resting in order to have energy for tomorrow's adventures in Delhi.

The forecast is calling for sunshine with a high of 82 degrees - a lot warmer than it was during orientation in the Berkshires!

Check back soon for updates from Delhi.

Posted by Deborah at 5:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Greetings from Delhi! We (Amanda and Catherine) are on a scavenger hunt to help us get to know the area around our hotel. We just exchanged money. Some of the things we have to do are finding out prices of various things, translate some Hindi into English, and learn about Indian history. We are currently digesting a delicious South Indian breakfast and Chai.

Much love,
Catherine and Amanda

Posted by Catherine at 6:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

This is Jen and Josephine and we can't find any bananas for our scavenger hunt. This place also happens to be bananas. We asked some lar-kee (girls) how to teach us to count to ten in hindi. We sat down next to them on the streets and a crowd of people formed around us. It was quite an experience. We're now off to find a telephone or as they call it here an STD booth. Right now the most challenging thing is to not smile.

Posted by Josephine at 6:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

It's evening in Delhi and the group is resting as they will be leaving on an early train to Agra tomorrow. This is their first train ride in India and I am sure it will be an experience.

I heard from Ellie and she said that all of the students are healthy and happy! It's POURING rain in Delhi right now so they are hoping for dry skies to see the Taj.

More soon,
Deb

Posted by Deborah at 6:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Taj Mahal: Memorial to Love

The Taj Mahal is a mausoleum located in Agra, India. It was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, and it immortalizes one man's love for his wife and the splendor of an era. Click Here to learn more about this Memorial to Love.

After spending the day at the Taj Mahal, the Arugamamas and Peter are now resting in Bharatpur. Tomorrow they will head off to explore the abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikri and then the spectacular wildlife of Keoladeo National Park.

Stay tuned for more details and updates on these adventures...

Posted by Deborah at 7:33 PM | Permalink

Madhu teaching us Hinduism 101 at a Hindu temple surrounded by the sound of ringing bells.

"Tashi Delek! (Tibetan for 'Hello') Meet Peter, our happy, smiling Tibetan trip leader

Delhi street scenes from a cycle rickshaw en route to Jama Masjid.

Taj Mahal. Enough said.

We had to pull some sneaky moves to get a picture with just us in it. Bravo!

We, um, attracted some attention at the Taj.

It is hard to believe that this is only our fourth full day in India. We have packed so much in that it feels like we've been here two weeks. Back in the US, when our group came up with our full value contract, one of the things we wrote, courtesy of Josephine, was "squeeze all juice all the time." What we meant by that was that we wanted to squeeze as much juice out of every experience as possible. I definitely think we've done that so far.

Continue reading "First Impressions: by Catherine" »

Posted by Ellie at 5:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

The best seat in the house. Jennifer taking in the ever-changing scenes from the bus window

Papayas for sale!

Jennifer with her Indian host "mom" and "dad"

Sangeev, his father, Shivani, Sangeev's mother, Amanda, Catherine, Josephine & Jennifer

Josephine with her Indian "sister"..."I always wanted a sister!"

Amanda with her homestay "mom" and "dad"

We jumped on a local bus this morning to ride for 4 hours (with a chai stop, of course) before we reached our home away from home in Jaipur..Shivani's house! We were warmly welcomed with a red tilak with rice on our foreheads, a notebook, cookies, and chai...not to mention a house full of warm smiles. We met with Shivani, our local coordinator in Jaipur and her family (and international guests) and went over the logistics for our Jaipur section. The students got to meet their homestays and were jumping with excitement (literally) from the word on the street that many of them would be attending their very first Indian wedding ceremony this evening! We are off early tomorrow morning on a school bus to go visit a village a few hours outside of Jaipur. We will be there until Monday, so I'm sure we will have lots of new stories to share. I forgot to get a picture of Catherine and her homestay family but she is well taken care of. She is staying with the family of the director of the school we are visiting so we get to spend all weekend with him. More picture to come. Until then....

Posted by Ellie at 5:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

HOMESTAY

With our homestay mataji in the village of Chomu

Open fields. Kids running barefoot. Simple living.

Hanging out with our choti behen (little sisters) after a morning in the fields

Choti Bhai (little brothers)

Playing badminton. Hanging out.

Fields of mustard greens line the dirt roads

Ellie surrounded by women in the traditional Rajasthani dress.

February 20. Chomu -- small village outside Jaipur.

Last night was our first night of the village homestay. Rain, lightning, cows, clay ovens, simple wheat cutting machines. Grandma is a fairytale; inch-wide dental gap front and center, easily tickled sense of humor, and sweet-tooth. She slept with us last night, with Cima, the younger sister of the oldest and most angsty girl. It was difficult to differentiate between her flatulence and thunder. During the day though, Grandmother was just a mess of joy.

We had an interesting experience with figuring out how to communicate the desire to go on a walk around the fields or village or wherever was available. But, as has become a regular occurrence, our intentions were misinterpreted as "yes, let's go work. let's go?

Continue reading "lost in translation." »

Posted by Amanda at 3:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Marigolds for sale at the temple

Visiting Birla Mandir, a Hindu temple made out of marble, after our lecture on Hinduism

Our speaker, Rima Hooja, on the History of Rajasthan confidently explained to us that "what tends to happen in India is there is no one saying 'Do this only'". I couldn't agree more. Everything is possible here. There are so many ways to live in India, and all are accepted and live in harmony with one another. A variety of religions to follow--Jainism, HInduism, Islam, Sikhism, Christianity. Everything from nice modern houses in cities to simple thatched roof huts in villages. Western-dressed Bollywood-crazed teenagers to traditional Rajasthani women in saris that cover their face in front of their husband, in-laws, and elders. There is something of everything in India and no one way is the only way.

Continue reading "Glimpses of India" »

Posted by Ellie at 2:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Jennifer checking out the history of block printing in the Jaipur area

Our very own rooftop block printing workshop!

We got to try out our skills at the art of block printing. The intricate designs are carved into wooden blocks which are then dipped in ink and printed on cloth. Easier said than done, that's for sure. The man that gave us the demonstration has been printing and carving blocks for years and made it look so simple. The fabrics that come out of the process are incredibly impressive. We made our our handkerchiefs!

Continue reading "Anokhi block printing" »

Posted by Ellie at 3:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Josephine's first work of art created during the workshop with Ajay.

Admiring the amazing intricacy of the miniature paintings.

Here are some shots from our miniature painting workshop with artist, Ajay Sharma. We got to go to his art studio and he took us through the intricate process of creating a miniature painting, an art that was brought over from Persia dating back to the time of the Mughals. Check out our creations!

Josephine and Jennifer admiring a miniature of Radha and Krishna

Continue reading "Miniature Painting workshop" »

Posted by Ellie at 11:43 AM | Permalink

A typical morning scene: an old man reading a newspaper side by side with holy cows roaming the streets.

The impact of 350,000 people living in a city created for 40,000

Hindu priest performing early morning puja.

India tends to take. At this point India has taken a lot of my patience, taken my body's energy, my money, tolerance, taken my judgments, and observations. With all of these things India has taken, manipulated, altered, and absorbed these things. It's almost like a black hole. I mean to say these things in the most endearing sense. As India takes it gives close to nothing back, which may be the magic that many people seem to find here.

In the last days we had a speaker on Jainism, a sister religion to Buddhism. This speaker's words were essentially like gold. The religion heavily emphasizes non-violence, physical and mental. In many ways following Jainism is like being an artist, creating beauty in the world surrounding you by self-control. Art form #1.

Continue reading "It's ok, you artist now" »

Posted by Josephine at 5:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (8)

By Jennifer Y

Colorful lac bangles and chai on a sunny rooftop in the Pink CIty of Jaipur.

A small chai shop in a narrow back alley with monkey jumping from side to side overhead

Chai oh chai. In India we will start and end our day with a cup of chai... and have several more cups in between. Aside from being a delicious drink (a blend of black tea, milk, cardimum and sometimes ginger), having chai has become a sort of symbol for comfort. In a place where we are constantly exploring, seeing, thinking, questioning, discovering a new side of India every day, having chai with the group becomes a feeling of familiarity--whether it's gathering around the table in the morning at Shivani's house, or at a tea stall down a narrow side street, where monkeys lie in wait (to ambush). Drinking chai is a reminder in the day to calmly reengage myself with my present environment and traveling companions. With that in mind, here's a glimpse of a day in the life of an Arugamama in Jaipur....

Continue reading "ALL CHAI ALL TIME" »

Posted by Ellie at 4:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

Some photos from our recent Lac Jewelry workshop. We all got to make our own bangles and try our hand at the craft! It's harder than it looks!

Showing the sap that makes the base of the bangles and how they make their colors

Josephine rolling out her own design...even the experts were impressed!

Continue reading ""Lac bangling" on the rooftop" »

Posted by Ellie at 4:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

After an amazing time in Jaipur, the group has arrived safely in Delhi. Tomorrow is Peter-la's birthday so they will definitely be doing something fun like going to see a Bollywood film! Then, tomorrow night, they head off on their first overnight train ride to Dharamsala. Keep posted for more of their adventures...

-Deb

A glimpse into our train car.

Posted by Deborah at 6:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

By: Catherine

A farewell picture as we leave Shivani's for the last time :(

Alas, our time in Jaipur has come to an end. It went by way too quickly. I think I can safely speak for the group when I say we are not ready to leave just yet. On the other hand, we are all looking forward to Dharamsala with much anticipation. I'd like to use this blog post to talk about some of the highlights of my Jaipur experience. But first, a quick recap. When we first arrived in Jaipur, we spent one night with our homestay and then set off to spend a few days in Chomu, a nearby village, visiting the Vidya Gram school and staying with village families. Then we came back to our Jaipur families, where we stayed for just over 2 weeks. As a group we had Hindi classes every morning, then a speaker or occasionally a workshop, and then we usually went on a fieldtrip related to whatever our speaker had talked about. For example, if we had a speaker on Hinduism, we would visit a Hindu temple. After a group lunch, we went off to our ISPs.

Continue reading "Jaipur in a Nutshell" »

Posted by Ellie at 3:14 AM | Permalink

Miniature Painting

Ellie and Josephine spent their afternoons learning the delicate art of miniature painting from our guru-ji, Ajay Sharma. We learned the art of patience, making mistakes and how to learn from them, as well as just sharing music, silence, chai, and the occasional roar of the passing trains together.

Ajay and Josephine putting on the finishing touches

Presenting her lovely finished product: Ganesha, the remover of obstacles

Ellie's project: Radha and Krishna, the divine lovers.

Ajay, Ellie, and Josephine working in the studio.

Continue reading "Jaipur ISPs!" »

Posted by Ellie at 1:06 PM | Permalink

McLeod Gang (aka Upper Dharamsala), our home for the next month.

Josephine turning prayer wheels and obtaining lots of merit!

We safely made it to Dharamsala and spent our first night with our homestays last night. We visiting the Dalai Lama's monestary in anticipation of his public teachings on Monday and Tuesday! It's nice to be up in the mountains with fresher air to breathe and a little less noisy than Jaipur (although this place is packed with people for the Dalai Lama!)

Check out the pictures of the students with their new homestays...

Continue reading "Finding home again in Dharamsala" »

Posted by Ellie at 10:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Message from Ghandi memorial, and death bed:
"For my needs, village is my world. For my knowledge, world is my village."

I want constant stimulation from the world. An eternal interaction with experience. Never to back away from life and cultural difference. Never look away, as raw as it may be. Don't forget that you are only a piece of the world and that nothing would make you fuller than to see it all, to know as many other pieces as you can. Learn, live, grow. Always and forever and never ever stop. Don't let anyone make you forget who you are right now, before tomorrow and after yesterday. After your dream last night, and before the endless score to come. The world is too great to let go. There are more gifts for you than you could ever ask for or hold. You are a guest in this world. Take and do not ignore what you are given.

Continue reading "I am possible this position long time" »

Posted by Amanda at 2:04 PM | Permalink

The group has just begun their intro to Buddhism retreat at the Tushita Meditation Centre. We don't expect to hear too much from them during the next week and a half, as part of the experience is learning to be in silence and minimize external distractions as the mind settles.

Stay tuned to hear about their adventure once they are out of silence!

Posted by Deborah at 4:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Om mani padme hum is a Tibetan Buddhist mantra that literally translates to "jewel of the lotus," meaning something like "purity of all living beings," or "for the sake of goodness." It can be a simple reminder, a phrase of motivation, or a sort of forgiveness (when, for example, I accidentally sweep up a moth). It's a prayer for the Buddha of Compassion. And it's amazing how powerful this simple group of words has become for me over the past ten days.

At Tushita we got a chance to really examine our "crazy monkey" mind and its inner workings, through meditation and teachings. The mornings and afternoons were based around the Buddha's essential teaching of the Four Noble Truths. We also had an hour of "breaking the silence" through small discussion groups after lunch.

Continue reading "Om mani padme hum" »

Posted by Jennifer at 1:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Greetings loyal blog readers! We have recently returned from our 10-day Introduction to Buddhism retreat at Tushita Meditation Center. The retreat was held in virtual silence. We had a one-hour discussion session each day and we were allowed to ask questions during the teachings but that was it. The last two days were completely silent and we pretty much just meditated all day long. It was quite an interesting experience. I think I might have enjoyed it more if I hadn't gotten sick. I got a parasite. That's right. There was a charming little family of amoebas living in my intestines and they were not particularly friendly. I had to leave the retreat one day to visit the hospital and then the day after we got back, I fell ill again and had to go BACK to the hospital. Things are on the mend now, though.

Continue reading "Meditation, Monkeys, and Medicine!" »

Posted by Catherine at 5:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

A local woman, 40 feet up in a Rhododendron tree, collecting branches.

Picnic time! Enjoying chai at the top of a high pass, Triund.

Continue reading "Life in images..." »

Posted by Ellie at 9:48 AM | Permalink

Jennifer: Massage, Cooking, Yoga, English Conversation & Daycare!!

Jennifer spent her mornings learning the art of Swedish & Shiatsu massage from her kind teacher, Mahinder. She also learned some delicious Indian cooking from his wife. Jennifer has been busy in the afternoons with a variety of activities: yoga, English conversation with Tibetan refugees, and volunteering her time taking care of young Tibetan babies! She literally had her hands full with activity!

Jennifer and Mahinder with her "happy" sign

Receiving singing bowl treatment from Mahinder

Cooking class! Making some delicious eggplant curry.

Continue reading "What we've been up to....ISPs!" »

Posted by Ellie at 5:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

We decided to have a group outing to the local bowling alley to celebrate our 2nd to last night in McLeod Ganj. The experience was truly unforgettable. First off, there were only 2 lanes. The alley was built on the side of the mountain and the lanes were not completely flat so we had to account for some tilt when we bowled. The scene was complete with Bollywood music, workers that showed no excitement, and us being the only people there! Not to mention the scary stuffed animal in the corner...still not sure what that was all about.

Note: "Excited" workers and Catherine yawning:)

Stylin'

Continue reading "Last night festivities!" »

Posted by Ellie at 5:30 AM | Permalink

A volunteer cleaning the pool of nectar (the water surrounding the Golden Temple)

The group with a spectacular view of the whole Golden Temple complex

Deb-sorry i havn't posted squat.

Essentially Amritsar is dirty and busy, not leaving much room to breath-at all. When we first arrive, we are slapped in the face with India once again- it's a bit of a change from little ol' Dharamsala. Once we finally get to the Golden Temple we are surrounded by thousands of people with knifes, silver bracelets, turbans, and more people. The Golden Temple- to get the best idea of what it looks like-look it up on Google. What it feels like (well to me) was oddly peaceful, considering there were so many people there. On the outside it looks like masses of people unorganized throwing various objects too and fro. When you look closer, it's masses of people throwing things too and fro, helping people. The place is a machine of goodwill. To get chai you must walk towards the courtyard (where everyone must cover their heads) where volunteers help clean the marble floor. Once inside the chai complex there is a man or women sitting on the chair handing out bowls for chai-she is also a volunteer. When I got to the giant vats of chai there is someone turning the spiket on and off. Once I sat down and try to chat with the women, men generally swarm trying to hear me speak my broken Hindi. Then the guard with a spear shoos them away. One you're finished with your chai chances are someone who is also done will take your bowl and put it in a giant grocery cart thing that, when full, will go to the dish washing section where more volunteers clean all the dishes. And so on and so forth. This place is completely run by volunteers.

Continue reading "Golden too is your heart" »

Posted by Josephine at 10:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The stars aligned and allowed us a chance to go visit the village of one of the guards at the Golden Temple. Peter's new friend, Sher Singh, invited us to his house for lunch...Punjabi style. They grew everything we ate for lunch down to the rice, wheat, and delicious fresh paneer (cheese), and rice milky pudding! Yum! We were quite the scene as not many white people make it to those parts. Every neighbor came out to see, either from the rooftops, or peeking over the mud walls to see the American group cruising through the dirt lanes of rural India. It was a lovely glimpse into the simplicity of village life. Grow enough food for your family and to sell, to make just enough. to be. happy.

A view of the big family chaos from above

With Sher Singh's family, a guard at the foreigner's quarters in the Golden Temple

Continue reading "Punjabi village life." »

Posted by Ellie at 10:19 AM | Permalink

im trying to plan the after-program. its hard though. not the planning but everyone i talk to has somewhere more amazing i should go. and by may, everywhere is about 100 degrees f anywhere that i could relax that isnt 10,000 ft above sea level.

India never doesnt feel temporary. but i feel IN it. some moments, never more than a moment, i feel like 'this is where i could be me for at least a while' but i never really know. buddhism says that i dont exist. only my mind and my body. so then i feel weird because according to 'them' we exist according to three things; the cause and conditions of our existence, our parts, and our label. at tushita I spent ten days in the mentality that you should always be present in the fact that you are your parents child,

Continue reading "Delhi is hot" »

Posted by Amanda at 10:20 AM | Permalink

10pm. Luggage loaded. Chai flowing with chai wallahs roaming up and down the row "Chai chai, pio chai". Break out the yahtzee while jammin' to some Michael Franti. Laughter. People bustling, trying to get in before the train starts to move. Towards Delhi. Lights out. Fans blowing. Mosquitos buzzing. Let's try to get some sleep. On this rickety, start and stop train ride through the plains of India.

The night train Yahtzee tradition continues....this time Peter takes 1st

Posted by Ellie at 10:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Flying over the mighty Himalaya. Um, breathtaking?

This is just a glimpse of how excited they were to be in the mountains

Shiny, happy students

We landed safely in Leh yesterday and have been taking it easy, watching Bollywood movies, and sleeping the rest of the time. Our bodies are slowly getting used to being at 10,000 feet although going up the stairs leaves us quite winded. The group was ecstatic to be up in the mountains with fresh, crisp air to breathe leaving the noise and pollution of Delhi behind. It should be an enjoyable time here in Ladakh. We leave to go to the village of Domkhar tomorrow where we will be staying with Ladakhi homestays for one week. And then off on a week long trek! Communication will be very limited here but we'll try and drop a line when we pass through Leh!

Posted by Ellie at 10:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

The group and their Domkhar homestays

Ellie's homestay family with little Rigzin and his abi-le (grandmother)

I sit in my Domkhar homestay with the TV blaring a Bollywood dance video, girls dancing in hardly any clothes and men wearing expensive watches, driving fast cars, and sunglasses. Such a drastic difference from the setting I'm sitting in. The 3-year old boy, Rigzin, is sitting and watching with innocent eyes while eating processed white bread and drinking butter tea. His mom is sitting on the dirt floor cooking thukpa over a wood-burning stove. The room is sparsely decorated--two posters: one of a beach with palm trees and the other, a herd of wild horses running though a river with the moon rising in the background. In between the two is a prayer wheel that is in constant motion. Constant motion. Is there any way to stop this powerful force of modernization that has seemed to be set into motion reaching even the most remote villages in Ladakh? The ancient colliding with the new? Surrounded by rocky mountains with little contact with the outside world--how could all the dancing, bright lights, money, and music not be appealing to these little innocent 3-year old eyes? If only they could understand my language...they would hear how much our culture is speeding up, so much that we often have little time to sit down as a family to eat dinner or just enjoy the silence of being together. Once the grandparents walked in, the TV was switched off.

Continue reading "Domkhar village. " »

Posted by Ellie at 10:22 AM | Permalink

The whole crew at the start of the trek

Entering the beautiful Markha Valley.

We reached our 16,700 ft pass! Where's all the oxygen?

It will be a quiet week or so here on the blog as the group enjoys walking among some of the most spectacular (and youngest) mountain peaks and valleys on earth.

If they are extremely lucky, they may also enjoy a fleeting glimpse of the endangered and exceedingly reclusive Snow Leopard. Although almost never seen in the wild, paw prints and camera trap images such as this one taken in Ladakh prove Panthera uncia is still hanging on out there. More likely will be sightings of resident Blue Sheep, Ibex, Marmots, Golden Eagles, and the giant Lammergeier, with its incredible 10-foot wingspan. And plenty of Yaks.

Continue reading "Trekking in the Himalaya..." »

Posted by Global LAB at 4:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Varanasi on the banks of the Ganges.

Ellie sent word this morning that the group had a great trek, capped off with a Ladakhi dance party, complete with s'mores.

Next up: an early morning flight from the cold Himalaya down to the heat of Delhi before taking an overnight train to Varanasi, located on the banks of the Ganges River.

Pictures and reflections from the trek to come.

A glimpse into train life: Josephine on top, Piu in the middle, and Kushok hidden on the bottom bunk

Posted by Global LAB at 2:47 PM | Permalink

Leh.

We have just arrived in Delhi and it is hot! I'm definitely missing the colder weather in Ladakh. When we flew to Ladakh about 3 weeks ago, we were greeted by the incredible sight of the Himalayas poking through the clouds, which we could see from the airplane window. After a few days of adjusting to the altitude (over 10,000 feet), we went to live with Ladakhi families in the village of Domkhar.

Continue reading "Missing the weather in Ladakh" »

Posted by Catherine at 8:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

And we're back! Welcome back to the Indian India. Welcome back to Delhi heat and smelly feet. Welcome back to rolling rickshaws and their drivers-- "Yes, please?" and happy honky horns. Mmmmusic to my ears. Welcome back to coconut uttapams at our favourite South Indian joint "Om Sarvana Bhavan." Aaaand welcome to mango season. Mangos are here to stay!!! We, on the other hand, are not. We're hopping on a night train this evening for the last leg of our adventure to Varanasi!

But it's strange, not waking up to that crazy feeling of being around mountains. They were so close. They just kind of appear out of wrinkled plains. They were so big and bright and beautiful and blinding. The clouds would hang over mountain peaks- where does the snow stop and where do the clouds start? It was a lot quieter and colder up there. I had to remind myself we were still in the same country, still in the same world, looking at the same sky. Holy skies. The nights were drawn by stars, the silhouettes of mountains, and us, the observers- tiny, empty gazers looking up at spirals and galaxies, the River Ganga (commonly known in the west as the Milky Way), the constellations... all so clear and nowhere near.

Up north we'd gone from the town of Leh, to Domkar, a village hiding in dust, growing out of the fields by the Indus River, and then into the wild for a week of tramping and trekking.... through valleys and up to a pass at 16,000 feet. In between there have been some Bollywood slumber parties, a steep and slick mini-hike to a peak by secmol, and for me, an evening getting re-hydrated on a bed in the IV room. Yesss.

And now for a little fun or "time-pass" as they seem to say around here... hows about some Peterisms, classic phrases from our favourite Tibetan Kushok-la.

-shouting "Tee, sa wa sap!" as we're wildly dancing around a bonfire, pulling out Ladakhi moves we didn't know we had
-"Actually, it's sort of chilly up here!" referring to the Himalayan nights
-"bzzzzzmmm" as a mantra mumble-bee in his Bee costume
-"Pyu is become pyu again!"...(the name I've adopted)
-"... or somesing like that"
-"hwhaaaaack!"
-"this can be really good for you guys"
-"this is sounds good?"

Okey, time to go out Ganges style. Whaaack. This is sounds good?.

Posted by Jennifer at 8:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

A local fabric shop owner flashes me the peace sign while drinking chai in the back alleyways

A glimpse into the graceful chaos of Indian streets

So today I 'favorited' India (re. the facebook function of 'liking' something, i.e. a photo, comment, or status [for the social networking inept]). We're in this place, Varanasi, where the smell is like that of and actually of burning bodies along the Ganges, and the colors are like drippy and ancient.

Something I've been enjoying is 'zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance' which is contributing greatly to the black bike im visioning parked outside my jazzy, worldly, eclectic college pad as close to water as possible. Dont worry, I'm actually going to buy and ride a vintage and dangerous bad-assmobile. For real. Actually.

Anyway something I'm missing is like social incongruity and challenge, obviously that comes with a pretty specific level of investment/immersion with your environment that I lack. I'm keeping my month alone in india absolutely planless and everything is becoming cake right in front of

Continue reading "black hole sun" »

Posted by Amanda at 1:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Doing it like the locals: Josephine with our boat guy, Govind

Time is really just a what we call the movement of change. And in Varanasi, the moment of change is a bit different.

It's a little more the pace of a boat ride along the ganges. The river pushes you one way but with a bit of rowing it moves the way you want. Although the current is too strong (sometimes), its steady until you run into other boats; its never too steady because if india were steady it would be called steadystan not hindustan. (ha.ha.ha)

But it could also be the pace of a tuk tuk, which has a slight hint of ($&^%*$&^#%%^#&^$ im going to die) and a spit here and there of fresh paan. The ride always gets you there though. Where ever "there" is there is room for interpretation.

Continue reading "Happy Mother's Day!" »

Posted by Josephine at 6:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Can you believe that the India semester is coming to a close? What a wonderful program! This blog was truly amazing - the students did a great job of posting entries and parents and friends were wonderful at posting comments. Thank you all for your effort in supporting each other on this journey!

Remember, this blog will stay up and can be utilized for communication and also remembrance. Feel free to post comments on the blog about how you are doing and feeling at home. This site is for you to connect.

Also, if you are feeling a bit lost at home, please check out these online resources for reentry. Reverse culture shock is very real and it there are tools you can use to help with this process. Perhaps these documents can help shed some light on a new world:

• SIT Study Abroad Reentry Toolkit

• Transitions Abroad: Coming Home from Study Abroad

• University of Missouri International Center: Coping, adjusting and getting involved

• Middlebury: Re-entry Resources

Posted by Deborah at 3:16 AM | Permalink