Katies Studying Abroad
Showing posts with label India. Show all posts
Showing posts with label India. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Reflections on the final day in Delhi

Jordyn Arndt ’11 is among a group of 19 St. Kate’s students on a Global Search for Justice j-term course in India with Deep Shikha, interim dean of the School of Business and Leadership and Economics Professor, and Robert Grunst, professor of English.

January 18, 2010

Our Global Search for Justice (GSJ) study abroad course in India is coming to a close. We are leaving from Delhi tomorrow night for the Twin Cities. While no one is looking forward to a fifteen hour flight, the majority of the students are anxious to see their friends and family in the United States again.

Yesterday we visited the Taj Mahal, the Red Fort in Agra, and a market. While it was a rather foggy morning for sightseeing, we were still able to enjoy visiting the two sites. We received a wonderful tour of the Taj Mahal and the Red Fort and were provided with ample time to take pictures within the vicinity. After an enriching morning filled with history and culture, students were able to practice their bargaining skills and do some last minute souvenir shopping at the market in Agra.

During our free time in Agra students enjoyed visiting the mall across from the hotel. In addition to shopping, some students attended 3 Idiots, a Bollywood movie in Hindi without English subtitles, in the evening. We had class in the afternoon. During the class we completed our book project presentations and began brainstorming ideas for our GSJ India presentation night in February.

Tomorrow we will be checking-out of our hotel. Afterwards we will be visiting Delhi Hut, a market that has artists from throughout India selling their handcrafted goods. A visit to the Mahatma Gandhi museum, Indira Gandhi, and meeting with the Chief Minister of Haryana will provide us with strong closure to our class.

Students are anxious to share their experiences in India with friends and family. All students, faculty, staff, friends, and family members are encouraged to attend the GSJ India presentation night. We will be presenting with the GSJ South Africa course on February 15, 5:30–8:30 p.m. in the Coeur de Catherine Raurenhorst Ballroom. We hope to see you there!
Jordyn Arndt '11

Of climate change, yoga and palaces

Jordyn Arndt ’11 is among a group of 19 St. Kate’s students on a Global Search for Justice j-term course in India with Deep Shikha, interim dean of the School of Business and Leadership and Economics Professor, and Robert Grunst, professor of English.

Jan. 15

We have completed our second week of the Global for Justice (GSJ) course is women, work, health, and the environment in India. During our frequent classes we have continued our discussions of oppression, gender, culture, and globalization.

On Tuesday we participated in the Institute for Rural Research and Development (IRRAD) sixth annual conference about the eradication of poverty and mitigation of climate change in India.

We attended presentations by representatives from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) throughout India addressing issues related to education, health, gender equality, small business development, water security, and agricultural practices.

While the majority of the conference participants were from India, we were in the company of a small group of graduate students from the University of Iowa. The conference was both informative and inspiring.

At the end of the conference, three St. Kate’s students discussed their experiences in India and what they gained from the conference. Their common theme was a refreshed commitment to combating social injustices wherever they may occur.

On Wednesday we made the six hour commute from Dehli to Jaipur and the Sunrise Naturopathy Health Resort.

We arose early the next morning to depart for Amber Palace. In order to reach the palace, situated on a high hill, we rode elephants. The tour of the Amber Palace provided us with an introduction to the extravagant lifestyles and reign of the maharajas.

On Friday we visited Jaipur City Palace and Observatory. Within the palace and observatory, we visited extraordinary galleries containing artwork, armory, textiles, and sun dials from the maharajas.

Our time in India is quickly coming to an end. We will continue processing our experiences in India, engaging in yoga sessions, and visiting sites of historical & cultural significance. We have begun discussing ideas for our GSJ India presentation in February. All students, faculty, staff, friends, and family members are encouraged to attend the GSJ India presentation on February 15th.
Jordyn Arndt

Monday, January 11, 2010

Student chronicles global search for justice in India

Jordyn Arndt ’11 is among a group of 19 St. Kate’s students on a Global Search for Justice j-term course in India with Deep Shikha, interim dean of the School of Business and Leadership and Economics Professor, and Robert Grunst, professor of English.

Jan. 11...We have spent one week in Dehli, India. The focus of our Global Search for Justice (GSJ) course is women, work, health, and the environment. Thus far we have had phenomenal discussions about oppression, gender, culture and globalization based on our experiences here.

We first traveled to the Institute for Rural Research and Development (IRRAD) in Dehli. We toured their facilities and visited two of the villages to which IRRAD has implemented sustainable development projects.

IRRAD introduced us to their innovative approach to sustainable development through the implementation of alternative energy projects, innovative agricultural practices, enhanced educational programming and public health outreach initiatives.Despite our language and cultural differences, we made crafts with some of the young girls in IRRAD’s technical training module. In the photo above we're showing them how to make structures using toothpicks and marshmallows.

Later on in the week we visited BPS Mahila Vishwa-Vidyalaya, a university for rural women and a charitable hospital. One of the highlights of our visit to the university was a tour of the ayurveda department’s facilities. This was particularly beneficial for our health care majors as ayurveda presents an alternative to Western medicine focused on a more holistic approach to health.

Our visit to the hospital was equally informative. The chairman of charitable hospitals described the challenge of increasing population in addressing India’s health care needs, the controversy surrounding medical tourism and the universal struggle to create available, accessible, and affordable healthcare to all citizens.

Weighty discussions on international economics, women’s role in society and cultural imperialism have been balanced with excursions to become acclimated to India’s rich history and culture.

A bus tour of Dehli helped orientate us to the multifaceted sections of the city. Bargaining in the markets and trying the wonderful spices of Indian cuisine has been a wonderful experience.

Jordyn Arndt '11