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| But first, heres a photo to mix things up-- Farrah, myself, and Meghana ready for Emory's Diwali celebration this past Fall. This year, I will celebrate in India! |
"Studying abroad in Hyderabad, India is a unique opportunity to take a safe adventure. It is a chance to sacrifice the privileged security of being part of the racial and linguistic majority, in exchange for uncertainty and discomfort. I hope that this uneasiness will strengthen me, as I am challenged to grow as an excited anthropology student and evolving young woman.
In the summer of 2007, I was heavily influenced by my travels to Israel. I found myself utterly disoriented and overwhelmed when adjusting, on my own, to a home-stay on a kibbutz. I had to step out of my fear and reluctance in order to adapt, and this gave me invaluable insight into the kibbutz culture. I left Israel with a maturity that inspired me to continually challenge myself.
My background in Indian culture invigorates my next adventure in Hyderabad, where cultural immersion can again create the rare discomfort that fosters personal growth. My first memorable exposure to India’s vibrant culture came in fourth grade, when my teacher taught a few classmates and myself an entire choreographed Indian dance that we performed at our elementary school’s international night. The experience fostered a fond curiosity for the distinct beauty of Indian culture.
Since then, I have sustained an appreciation for Indian food, art, and cultural practices. In college, I have several close friends from India and attended Emory’s Diwali celebration this past fall. Being surrounded by the extraordinary festival was one of the few times in my life that I have felt like a true minority, and I reveled in the excitement of my surroundings. I wish to discover much more about a nation that is so important to my close friends and future world politics and economics.
Besides personal interest, I am excited to immerse myself in Indian culture as an inquisitive Anthropologist, invested in public health and developing nations. Anthropology is the study of humanity, often looking at cultural variance to define what is innately human across the world. Studying in Hyderabad will expose me to a society radically different from my own, and the University of Hyderabad features a broad diversity of people, as regulated by the national government. The city highlights juxtaposing Northern and Southern Indian traditions, ancient mosques and modern architecture, as well as immense poverty and tremendous wealth all in one city. This range in affluence translates to a range in health, making Hyderabad as an ideal place to advance my understanding of medical anthropology and public health. While the city promotes cutting-edge research and technology, local populations suffer from many current calamities of global health. I hope to volunteer with one of the many NGOs in Hyderabad, to gain experience in my potential career path while contributing to a decrease in health disparities.
Academically, my studies in India will directly align with my interests and goals. For example, SIP offers a yoga class that introduces the theoretical and practical elements of yoga, fostering a deep understanding of a quintessential aspect of Indian culture that is often only appreciated at the surface. In addition, the University’s anthropology department studies ethnographic diversity and applications of anthropological knowledge to the understanding of social problems and development issues, including medical anthropology. The sociology department also offers courses that fit my interests, such as Sociology of Health, Sickness and Healing, and Social Stratification.
I am beyond eager to enter an environment in which academic endeavors and personal development are imbedded into every aspect of life, in and out of the classroom. CIEE’s program in Hyderabad is an ideal way for me to take a safe adventure—to study anthropology, volunteer in public health, and challenge myself as a flourishing individual."
