Greetings from Mumbai!
This is Erin and Rey from WLS writing with great joy, gratitude and appreciation for the wonderful experience we had with the faculty and students of Berkeley Carroll. It has been a fabulous program, full of insights, connection, laughter, and learning. Last night we went for our last dinner together at the rooftop restaurant, Koyla, under the full moon.
Once the group was on the bus, we spent over an hour with no success trying to blog to let you know that they were on their way to the airport, but by now they are more than halfway through their flight. We all finished strong and full of new inspiration. Below you will see for yourself snippets from each student of what they have gained from this experience.
Thank you again for your continued support of the program....
This trip gave me the chance to recognize the importance of human emotion. It goes much deeper than just manipulating your own personal experience. Rather, the feelings and sensations of emotion that we have act as a universal language. They allow us to push through the barriers that lay on top of the attempts we make to connect with others. — Zachary Lewellyn
Going to India helped me grow as a leader, friend, and supporter by realizing those roles aren't that different. Traveling halfway around the world without my parents has given me a chance to have my own views about a trip, allowing me to come to more realistic conclusions for myself. One of the most pivotal moments of this trip was communicating with my host family sister. Despite the large language barrier, we became friends and it feels so special and powerful knowing that someone so far away, and meaningful, is thinking about you. — Emma Raible
Before this trip, I only thought of what my liberation could do to change America. Now I know that instead, I should be doing everything I can to liberate all the human beings of the world, because the most valuable thing I have is being able to dream of and work towards being whoever I want to be, doing whatever I want to do, and leaving my handprint on this earth. — Lucy Beers Shenk
Although India 2014 at BC has been fun, it has also been a learning experience for me. I now have a better understanding of the similarities and differences between mainstream American and Indian culture. During the home stay in Chinchoti, I had the unique chance to meet and interact on a very personal level with my gracious host family. If I had to give one thing that I learned or got out of this trip, I would probably say that the "Danger of the Single Story" (mentioned in a TED Talk) is very real, and stereotypes are based on a foundation of ignorance and superiority. In order to truly understand how life in Chinchoti relates to our society in the United States, one must actually move between the two cultures and experience them for yourself. — Rocco Blum
I came to India with the intention of finding the missing puzzle piece of myself that I could not find back at home. What I found was even better: a clue to the form of this missing puzzle piece. People say they live their lives to find that puzzle piece, but what they are really searching for is the thrill of the journey of finding it. — Peter Russo
Here in India, I had nowhere to hide. There was nothing to distract me from myself or the things that I try not to think about. Here I realized my potential, my strengths, weaknesses, value, and hopes. I realized that seeing others at their best and doing things at their greatest potential makes me happy. I realized that language isn't the only way to communicate. I realized that a smile can be the reason why someone else smiles. I realized that I want to be that reason or at least part of it. I hope to seek and support the best in others, which in turn brings out the best in me. — Chelsea O'Neil
I went on this trip with a strong desire to explore a completely new place and gain a different perspective of life. Ultimately, the amount of knowledge I gained was so much more. I was looking for change because I've only known the NYC way of life, but I never expected to be welcomed into an opposite community. What surprised me most was how easy it was for me to think of a community as family after just a couple of days. The lack of knowledge about some irrelevant American technology really made me happy because it proved that a close-knit community is the only thing that can really create universal happiness. Although I find it depressing that most of the people here (especially girls) will never get opportunities like we do every day, I think human connection can be a greater gift, and it was so fascinating to be part of a two-way perspective shift and really see a different way of life as I had hoped. Even though I didn't explore every part of India, being part of its community is something I won't forget. — Lucy Edelstein
First and foremost, the trip has meant that there is not one way to live. Life in America or in any other first world country is no different from the slums of Mumbai or from Chinchoti: there are still people who care about each other despite the lack or excess of technology. Before the home stay, I never expected to form the connection that I have with my host family. They are like an extension of my family, and it makes me sad to think that I may never be a part of their lives again. However, moving back to the point, no matter where you are, you can always find amazing and wonderful people. — Elias Contrubis
I wanted to come to India because I wanted to see and experience more of the world. And as I leave, I have not only experienced Indian culture by completely immersing myself in it but I have also learned so much about a part of the world that I knew nothing about. This trip has also pushed me on many personal levels. It helped me learn how to cope with my anxiety when my support system is gone and to try new things even when they scare me. I feel stronger and more capable of leading—not necessarily leading others but how to lead my life the way that I want to—and continuing to understand more of the world. I also gained prospective on not only India but on my life. — Tristan Gillia
This trip has meant more than I am able to understand while still here in India. However it has become a time that I find myself being happier than I have been almost anywhere else as I am able to grow and learn from the people around me. This country, and specifically Chinchoti, has taught me more than I could ever learn in three years in a classroom. Chinchoti has become a home away from home and I will cherish my short time there, as well as my Indian family, more than anything. — Esme Chant
I have a hard time opening up to people and being warm to them when we first meet. I am frightened by the fact that trying out new things can turn out to be less than what I expected. I don't know what people think of me when they see me but it's taken a long time for me to let go of the part of me that wants to be closed off from others. Taking the leap to apply to India was hard enough, but being here has made me realize that I can see myself in others and I don't have to experience things alone. — Nicole Meza
The trip has been a mixture of widespread and personal discovery for me. While the widespread may have been what everyone discovered (women's rights, clean water) I discovered personally that my comfort zone is indefinite and constantly growing. On this trip, most personal things were just as, if not more, personal than India itself and I had to adjust my comfort zone accordingly. I learned that my comfort zone wouldn't disable me from doing certain things but guide me towards what would give me the most personal growth. — Delilah Cravens
When I came came to India I realized the importance of self-reflection, that if you want to learn more about your surroundings you first have to learn more about yourself. That is because we have to get rid of our perceptions and allow ourselves to see things how they really are. Before I came to India I knew of the people and the country by the statistics and economic numbers that I have read about, but by having the chance to be in the country and to experience the culture and now put faces to those numbers and statistics, you see that things are not always what they are made out to be. — Maxwell Pisano
Throughout this entire trip, I've changed physically and emotionally. I've gotten to know more about my peers, my teachers, and myself. From never leaving North America to having the opportunity to live with an Indian family for five days, I've been given time to reflect on how different families are on the other side of the world. — Brandon Woo
I find it absolutely hilarious that when I applied for India this year, I applied because I wanted to "get away from everything," but what happened was that I ended up getting into the thick of the issues surrounding both myself and the world. I couldn't solve everything on this trip (i.e. global poverty and my fear of "the stretch zones"), but what I think I have done is learn how to understand these problems better and in some ways even loosen the knots of contradictions that they are. — Sophie Hayssen
This is Erin and Rey from WLS writing with great joy, gratitude and appreciation for the wonderful experience we had with the faculty and students of Berkeley Carroll. It has been a fabulous program, full of insights, connection, laughter, and learning. Last night we went for our last dinner together at the rooftop restaurant, Koyla, under the full moon.
Once the group was on the bus, we spent over an hour with no success trying to blog to let you know that they were on their way to the airport, but by now they are more than halfway through their flight. We all finished strong and full of new inspiration. Below you will see for yourself snippets from each student of what they have gained from this experience.
Thank you again for your continued support of the program....
This trip gave me the chance to recognize the importance of human emotion. It goes much deeper than just manipulating your own personal experience. Rather, the feelings and sensations of emotion that we have act as a universal language. They allow us to push through the barriers that lay on top of the attempts we make to connect with others. — Zachary Lewellyn
Going to India helped me grow as a leader, friend, and supporter by realizing those roles aren't that different. Traveling halfway around the world without my parents has given me a chance to have my own views about a trip, allowing me to come to more realistic conclusions for myself. One of the most pivotal moments of this trip was communicating with my host family sister. Despite the large language barrier, we became friends and it feels so special and powerful knowing that someone so far away, and meaningful, is thinking about you. — Emma Raible
Before this trip, I only thought of what my liberation could do to change America. Now I know that instead, I should be doing everything I can to liberate all the human beings of the world, because the most valuable thing I have is being able to dream of and work towards being whoever I want to be, doing whatever I want to do, and leaving my handprint on this earth. — Lucy Beers Shenk
Although India 2014 at BC has been fun, it has also been a learning experience for me. I now have a better understanding of the similarities and differences between mainstream American and Indian culture. During the home stay in Chinchoti, I had the unique chance to meet and interact on a very personal level with my gracious host family. If I had to give one thing that I learned or got out of this trip, I would probably say that the "Danger of the Single Story" (mentioned in a TED Talk) is very real, and stereotypes are based on a foundation of ignorance and superiority. In order to truly understand how life in Chinchoti relates to our society in the United States, one must actually move between the two cultures and experience them for yourself. — Rocco Blum
I came to India with the intention of finding the missing puzzle piece of myself that I could not find back at home. What I found was even better: a clue to the form of this missing puzzle piece. People say they live their lives to find that puzzle piece, but what they are really searching for is the thrill of the journey of finding it. — Peter Russo
Here in India, I had nowhere to hide. There was nothing to distract me from myself or the things that I try not to think about. Here I realized my potential, my strengths, weaknesses, value, and hopes. I realized that seeing others at their best and doing things at their greatest potential makes me happy. I realized that language isn't the only way to communicate. I realized that a smile can be the reason why someone else smiles. I realized that I want to be that reason or at least part of it. I hope to seek and support the best in others, which in turn brings out the best in me. — Chelsea O'Neil
I went on this trip with a strong desire to explore a completely new place and gain a different perspective of life. Ultimately, the amount of knowledge I gained was so much more. I was looking for change because I've only known the NYC way of life, but I never expected to be welcomed into an opposite community. What surprised me most was how easy it was for me to think of a community as family after just a couple of days. The lack of knowledge about some irrelevant American technology really made me happy because it proved that a close-knit community is the only thing that can really create universal happiness. Although I find it depressing that most of the people here (especially girls) will never get opportunities like we do every day, I think human connection can be a greater gift, and it was so fascinating to be part of a two-way perspective shift and really see a different way of life as I had hoped. Even though I didn't explore every part of India, being part of its community is something I won't forget. — Lucy Edelstein
First and foremost, the trip has meant that there is not one way to live. Life in America or in any other first world country is no different from the slums of Mumbai or from Chinchoti: there are still people who care about each other despite the lack or excess of technology. Before the home stay, I never expected to form the connection that I have with my host family. They are like an extension of my family, and it makes me sad to think that I may never be a part of their lives again. However, moving back to the point, no matter where you are, you can always find amazing and wonderful people. — Elias Contrubis
I wanted to come to India because I wanted to see and experience more of the world. And as I leave, I have not only experienced Indian culture by completely immersing myself in it but I have also learned so much about a part of the world that I knew nothing about. This trip has also pushed me on many personal levels. It helped me learn how to cope with my anxiety when my support system is gone and to try new things even when they scare me. I feel stronger and more capable of leading—not necessarily leading others but how to lead my life the way that I want to—and continuing to understand more of the world. I also gained prospective on not only India but on my life. — Tristan Gillia
This trip has meant more than I am able to understand while still here in India. However it has become a time that I find myself being happier than I have been almost anywhere else as I am able to grow and learn from the people around me. This country, and specifically Chinchoti, has taught me more than I could ever learn in three years in a classroom. Chinchoti has become a home away from home and I will cherish my short time there, as well as my Indian family, more than anything. — Esme Chant
I have a hard time opening up to people and being warm to them when we first meet. I am frightened by the fact that trying out new things can turn out to be less than what I expected. I don't know what people think of me when they see me but it's taken a long time for me to let go of the part of me that wants to be closed off from others. Taking the leap to apply to India was hard enough, but being here has made me realize that I can see myself in others and I don't have to experience things alone. — Nicole Meza
The trip has been a mixture of widespread and personal discovery for me. While the widespread may have been what everyone discovered (women's rights, clean water) I discovered personally that my comfort zone is indefinite and constantly growing. On this trip, most personal things were just as, if not more, personal than India itself and I had to adjust my comfort zone accordingly. I learned that my comfort zone wouldn't disable me from doing certain things but guide me towards what would give me the most personal growth. — Delilah Cravens
When I came came to India I realized the importance of self-reflection, that if you want to learn more about your surroundings you first have to learn more about yourself. That is because we have to get rid of our perceptions and allow ourselves to see things how they really are. Before I came to India I knew of the people and the country by the statistics and economic numbers that I have read about, but by having the chance to be in the country and to experience the culture and now put faces to those numbers and statistics, you see that things are not always what they are made out to be. — Maxwell Pisano
Throughout this entire trip, I've changed physically and emotionally. I've gotten to know more about my peers, my teachers, and myself. From never leaving North America to having the opportunity to live with an Indian family for five days, I've been given time to reflect on how different families are on the other side of the world. — Brandon Woo
I find it absolutely hilarious that when I applied for India this year, I applied because I wanted to "get away from everything," but what happened was that I ended up getting into the thick of the issues surrounding both myself and the world. I couldn't solve everything on this trip (i.e. global poverty and my fear of "the stretch zones"), but what I think I have done is learn how to understand these problems better and in some ways even loosen the knots of contradictions that they are. — Sophie Hayssen
