Global Learning Across Border Program - Jaipur Chapter

Global Learning Across Border Program - Brahma to Buddha, Fall 2008

Global LAB exists to educate and inspire new generations of people to become responsible and committed global citizens in their local communities and beyond. This is done through international cultural immersion and community service programs for young adults; global studies professional development programs for educators; and by partnering with schools and universities to help design and implement experiential global curricula and service programs.

Jaipur Chapter - 17th November - 4th December 2008

The students arrived in the evening of the 17th Nov from Bharatpur. I received them all at the Inter-State Bus Station. Tracy, the Program coordinator introduced me to the other coordinators and the students. We all came to the centre where the home stay families were eagerly waiting to receive them.

From 18th Nov until the 3rd Dec, the students were engaged in two hours of Hindi language classes, one hour of guest speaker and two hours of related field trip. Then soon after lunch they would proceed to carry out their Independent Study Project (ISP). This is how their day started at 8 am in the morning and by 5:30 pm in the evening they reached back to their homes for cultural exchange and family interaction.

The theme decided for the lecture series has been nonviolence in relation to religion and culture. The concern has been how this virtue can be deep rooted in the students through global education. A highlight on the various lectures and the speakers is as follows:

In the Jaipur program the students were blessed by His Holiness Acharya Mahapragya and had the opportunity of rich interactions with Jain monks and nuns.

The series of visits included Jain temples, Hindu temples, Mosques and Monasteries. As a part of the study program they also visited Hand made paper units, Block printing units, craftsperson at work, The famous Jaipur Foot Factory, Yoga studios etc. During the exposure to this diversified culture, they were taken from Chokhi Dhani a unique village resort to capture the spirit of Rajasthan, to the roadside Dhaba on Highway.

Akshardham

Students were also engaged in an adventure of Scavenger hunt of the old city. They started the hunt from Tripollia Bazaar and by following the clues of various important tourist locations they had to reach the final destination of Govindevji temple where they met the coordinators. Thus this was a glimpse of one activity. Many such activities were planned for the students to blend the culture and tradition of India. As the title of the program is Brahma to Buddha so it would have been incomplete without visiting the holy town of Pushkar. The group was very excited to see the only Brahma temple in the world in Pushkar.

It was a valuable experience for me of the efforts made. Above all to see them picking up the skill in Hindi speaking, familiarity with the multi cultures and traditions of India shows the deep-seated module to global education.

A day before they departed, each student had a presentation on their ISP.

This was followed by a small get together where all the home stay family members were invited. Individual student made effort to speak in Hindi and expressed gratitude towards their family for the kind hospitality during their stay in Jaipur.

Tracy, Justin and Peter also shared their thoughts and feelings in well-articulated words to the home stay families who took out time to attend the farewell ceremony.

Last but not least I had been behind
making all the necessary arrangements for the best running of the semester- Shivani Bothra, Jaipur Coordinator