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
Hometown: Chicago
Tell us about your favorite book: my favorite book is lovely bones which is also a movie this is because it tell the story of a young girl who killed by her neighbor but was in the purgatory state and wouldn’t pass on until her family learned to accept and forgive her death
Give one random fact about you: multi artist
In class, what kind of character are you?: random it depends on the type of day i’m having but normally i choose to have fun be engaged and learn
If you were a fruit, what would it be?: pineapple
What do you think will be surprising about India?: street culture and how locals interact
In what ways do you feel that India will be challenging for you?: in no ways do i feel India will be challenging, im just hoping its an awesome learning experience
How do you hope to be changed by this trip to India?: I hope to become a more compassionate, aware person
Hometown: Kalaheo, HI
Tell us about your favorite book: The Ethiopian tattoo shop, a book of short stories told from the perspective of a visitor who stumbles into an old tattoo shop in Ethiopia and is told ancient stories from an old tattoo artist; stories that were supposed to distract and numb the pain of people as their tattoos were getting done.
Give one random fact about you: I like to draw and paint
In class, what kind of character are you?: Quiet usually, unless I feel comfortable enough to be outspoken
If you were a fruit, what would it be?: Mountain Apple
What do you think will be surprising about India?: Everything
In what ways do you feel that India will be challenging for you?: Getting used to seeing millions of people everywhere as well as the commotion of traffic
How do you hope to be changed by this trip to India?: Even more open minded than I am now and to learn about the value of life of people who live there as well as to take into consideration what I take for granted. I hope to go in feeling grateful and come back overwhelmed with gratitude
Hometown: San Jose, California
Tell us about your favorite book: One of my favorite books is called “A Thousand Splendid Suns” by Khaled Hosseini. In this book it shows the strong bond between two Afghan women and how they try to adjust to their war situation and many other obstacles. I like this book because it shows both of the characters perspective and gives us a chance to understand what they go through in order to survive.
Give one random fact about you: I have never been on a plane.
In class, what kind of character are you?: In class most of the time I’m quiet but it all depends on the people that surround me. It takes a little while for me to get comfortable.
If you were a fruit, what would it be?: I think I would be a strawberry
What do you think will be surprising about India?: I think the different culture is what will make me have a different perspective of what India is.
In what ways do you feel that India will be challenging for you?: I think the most challenging thing for me will be getting use to the environment since it will be very hot.
How do you hope to be changed by this trip to India?: I hope to be able to learn many different things and be able to build long term friendships since we will be spending time together.