After preparing for a couple days before all the students arrived, the South Asian students presented on their cultures for the international students. You can read more here, and see a few student interviews here, beginning with Olga!
Monica
Mohammad
Rohini
Kultwisiso
Shilpi
Today we were presenting how we saw and felt climate, emotional, and community/cultural resilience. We had all made a 1-3 minute presentation on a piece of poster board and explained the experiences we encountered along our 23 day journey together. There was so many experiences we shared, but then again we had other thoughts on some of the events we saw. I feel that overall we felt that even though our situations weren’t as hard as back at home, we could all relate to the things others from India had shared and the way the felt about life. Also I feel that Indians have a much deeper understanding for gratefulness, and seeing that within them has gave me essentially a better understanding for it. And even though they had a rough life that they were the most positive people I have ever met in my life and just that understanding of being that happy has made me more happy. Therefore giving my life more meaning, perseverance, and overall a successful feeling.
This trip has made me think a lot about how I act at home and what I could do to better that in a great way. In the end I feel that my life is complete even though I am a young age I feel that this experience has made all of life a blessing. I wish I could come back to this place just one more time in my life to experience it’s beauty within cultural, emotional, and climate resilience.
Throughout the trip I have learned many things whether it was just being mindful of my water intake or getting used to all the crazy traffic India has, but through it all it has been so much fun. I have not only learned how to be more resilient but to also be more aware of my effect on this planet which is why as a person who isn’t ignorant to climate change I need to continue the change. I hope that with this newfound knowledge about pollution and about how many different things affect the planet I will be able to positively affect both my community and the world.
I enjoyed my visit in India!!!! What an awesome experience …we went to one of the biggest tourist attractions in the world it was so nice being with people to share that with. I learnt how to be resilient in different circumstances.