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
We only got to spend one full day in Thekkady, but it was quite the day. We woke up early to visit the Periyar Tiger Reserve a jungle reserve that holds around 50 wild tigers and about 150 wild elephants, as well as many other flora and fauna. We didn’t run into any tigers, nor any elephants, but the walk was absolutely beautiful, and we did get to see giant squirrels, deer, and monkeys all over the place. Because where I live is mostly desert, being surrounded by that much life was really wonderful.
In the afternoon, after eating lunch and hanging out at our hotel for awhile, we went to visit an elephant sanctuary. They had several elephants there that had previously been domesticated, which is a very brutal and abusive process, but as I understand it, these elephants had been rescued from slavery situations, such as being used for illegal logging operations. Elephant domestication and slavery is a very complicated and deep rooted issue, and our visit left me in a weird place, but I think it was an important and singular experience, and there are several reasons why: Hearing about animal abuse is one thing, but seeing the effects of it is another. Witnessing an elephant follow orders tranquilly, even lifelessly, when I’ve been near a wild elephant that nearly charged me because I got a bit too close, had some type of effect on me. Elephants are massive, intelligent, and naturally territorial animals, and to see one that had lost all of those traits (though it could follow orders impressively well) seemed very unnatural. Seeing that in person made me naturally react and seriously think about the situation, in a way that hearing about it simply can’t do. On another note, and I’ve decided I’ll never do it again, but having the opportunity to bathe, be bathed by, and feed an elephant was a once in a lifetime experience, and I do not regret taking it. I wish with all my heart that no elephants in the future be taken out of the wild, beaten, used, or commercialized, and I’ll help to prevent that in any way possible if able. I’m not sure I felt so strongly before.
My first impression on MGIS was how welcoming everyone was. when I first stepped foot in their school I was greeted kindly by a security guard then afterwards was welcomed by students. something that stood out to me was the clothing they wore and the diversity there was at the school . I was pleased to know that all the students were bilingual as well as trilingual and quadringual. To me that was very impressive and I hope that they continue with these customs because later on in the future these children will be more prepared than anyone I know in the US. knowing more than one language is so helpful & valuable and I hope that all the children @MGIS know that. Also accepting and being part of a diverse community is outstanding because children will never learn the difference between dark and light skin, straight hair or wavy hair, brown eyes or blue. They’ll look at their fellow peers as what they are, human beings. And that gives me lots of hope and faith in humanity for generations to come.
I thought I knew a lot about the famous Ghandhi, but I guess I was wrong. When I went to visit his home where it all started kinda I learnt a lot from the place. I read a lot of his quotes and was very intrigued on how he thinks. I found inspiration in his words. He stood up for what he believed in and didn’t stop until he had achieved his goal. I think its a great achievement to fight for something without actually figgting. I don’t agree with violence and he didn’t either. I have learned that it is OK to be angry and show it some times. I also believe that its better to show anger in a way to where the conflict or the problem won’t get worse but actually improve the situation a little bit. Gandhi’s people did not have a voice but he became their voice and their voice has been heard. Ghandhi really made a difference in the world. His ways has influenced a lot of people around the world like M.L.K Ghandhi was his inspiration. I want to make a difference in the world at first I didn’t think it was possible to be the voice of the people without one, but now I know that if I really try hard enough those unspoken words will finally be heard.