Kristin Burney    The world would see India as a very poor third-world country with nothing to offer. Over the past month I have seen and experienced things that I may never have the opportunity to see or do ever again in my entire life. What the world thinks they know about India and what I've seen and done first hand are complete opposites of one another. This is real life information that I know I will be able to use in my personal and professional life. I've tasted some of the most delicious food my taste buds have ever had the opportunity to experience. If I ever have the chance to come back I will return because I think that there are many things that I haven't accomplished in just a month's time.

Erin Bracken Kerala's landscape is beautiful. Lush and green and lovely. Even the smells are wonderful. Kerala is the leader in literacy rate and low infant mortality rate. Also women's empowerment is working strong in Kerala. Along with all the great statistics, Kerala proves that it is the envy of India. But there is more. I will remember how it changed my idea of beauty. I will never be able to thank Kerala enough.

Barbara Maxwell  Kerala is a good example of what India is capable of doing when people come together for a unified purpose. I knew of the Malayalam language only because I was aware it was used during World War II because the Germans were unable to break code in Malayalam. Kerala is very beautiful and can be a model for other state in India because of its educational advancements and literacy record. It is a coastal state with the advantages of that plus it has inland water ways and beautiful mountains. I came to India to learn about a country. I did not really know much about, the timing was right. I came, I saw and I have enjoyed myself and I do not have any regrets.

 

Kathleen M Jelen The people of Kerala  are what made first and biggest impression on my experience.  The lush landscape we witnessed while travelling to Kanyakumari was even beautiful. Sitting on the balcony of our hotel, listening to the waves crash, the moon shining down on the water and on the monuments, these are all things I don't want to ever forget.  The lake Kumarakom Resort was one of the most beautiful places I've ever visited. I've never felt so clean in India. I would not be able to enjoy such luxury in the United States. The Kumarakom was a peaceful, beautiful, and tropical paradise. Dr. Nair and the people of Kerala have reached out to us in a way that touched our hearts. Reaching out is a true social work. Through India Experience, we not only learned about life in Kerala, but life in general as well.

 

Jarrod D Gray The Swami Vivekananda Rock Memorial was also one of the most amazing places on earth. In places of such history and importance, you really challenge the validity of Western and modern life. I had the unique experience of  "thirumal" a form of acupressure. This is the basis of thousands of years old AYURVEDA HERBAL TREATMENT. It was definitely an indescribable event. You feel very secluded but secure because the land is so serene. The total treatment was one and a half hours long. I left as a new man.

 

Kerrian Walters Coming to India has made me realize that there is much to life than material gains to make a person happy. There is family, spirituality and friendship which could bring one happiness and spirituality. Before coming on this trip, my friends and family had their misinformed opinion of India. Unfortunately, not many people I know will visit India, so the misconception will always exist. I have found a connection with Kerala that will last for a lifetime. I will forever remember the friendly faces, the delicious food and all the generosity. Overall the way things are in Kerala is fabulous. When I return I hope it would all remain the same in me.

 

Gretchen Martin Since I have been here there has been very little poverty compared to the poverty that I was expecting. Another thing that surprised me very much was the beauty in Kerala. Both in nature and in the faces of the people. This is such a lush and vibrant place. There is vegetation everywhere. Kerala is full of life. The weather has been very pleasant. I left the Sivananda Ashram with a different view from when I came. My outlook on the practice of yoga has now changed. I did not know that yoga was a way of life.         I am so glad that I decided to stay at a host family. This was an experience that I will never forget. I hope that my host family enjoyed me as much as I enjoyed them.  My meals I had were so tasty. I have to mention that my favorite snack is "Ullivadaa" (Onion Balls).  Every time I have Ullivadaa, it makes me really happy.

 

Sarah M Gallop I would like to quote Ali, the Lion; Caliph of Islam, Son in law of Mohammed the Prophet.

          Three things cannot be retrieved:
          The arrow once sped from the bow
          The word spoken in haste
          The missed opportunity.

 It was a fantastic expedition through a portion of mankind's million facets. I meditated with a guru at an Ashram, enjoyed one of the world's most phenomenal temples, spent three days in an orphanage, met two princesses and a mayor, taught English to young school children, watched a silent protest at a local college, was given Ayurvedic treatment  by an amazing doctor and pulse-reader, patted cows, stayed at beautiful beach resorts, visited the oldest wooden palace in India, watched myself on television, stayed with two host families, and rode an elephant. Additionally, I enjoyed a baffling, funny and somewhat surreal trip. When I get back to the United States, however, I know I will be different and can predict distinct changes in my life; namely, my general perspective. The manner in which I will treat strangers, the way I look at food, and even the manner in which I speak will have undertones of what I became - a part of in Kerala. I can concretely say that I feel changed from this mind-blowing trip- and, like India itself, touched by magic.

 

Vincent Shoham I was scared from the beginning that the people would be mean, that the food and environment would be unsanitary, the country under developed and the people uncivilized. After my one month stay, I can honestly say that the people were amongst the most friendly I have ever known, the food and environment rich and flavorful, the country making steady progress and the people beautifully cultured and civilized with their wonderful traditions. I guess people tried to make me believe that India didn't have very much to offer me as an individual. I have come to know however that India was changing me for good. It has given me a spirituality and strength that will never die and added depth to my soul that will eventually flourish. I can say that after the one month stay in Kerala, I am a changed person. I have found peace and happiness that is neither transitory nor fleeting but rather spawn from an internal concentration and focus and a reunion with the my religion that I have been inspired by Kerala.

 

Unnikrishnan Namaste !!! I am actually an American born, first generation Indian. So my perspective on this program is unique from every other student.  India's lesson in humility is priceless !!! Kerala, it seemed would be quite beneficial for one from the West to visit because despite being in a developing country, the state has a near perfect literacy rate and an average life expectancy compatible with the West. With only limited resources, Keralities enjoy  these luxuries while the West spends an abundance of wealth to produce similar results. While a majority of western moral philosophy studies the work of intellectuals from ancient Greece and Rome, India has been blessed with an array of contemporary scholars like Swami Vivekananda.  My hope is that when each student returns to America, they will still see the world with an American mindset, but with the humility and spirituality of an Indian heart, because that has made all the difference in my life thus far ...

 

Elise Karberg My experiences in India have first and foremost certainly been unlike any other in my life thus far. I have met so many exceptional people and made so many friends in so short a period of time. I am often awestruck by the beauty of our mother planet in her glory. I feel Kerala is an exceptional contradictory state like any part of life, good or bad - construction and destruction, immeasurable joy and deep devastation . It only reinforces my feelings of duality surrounding life in general. People here defy all notions of economic depression for even the poorest stand and appreciate life better than many well off educated people.

         Back to India Experience