Kerala, India: The World's greatest destinations, one of the fifty places of a life time. Visiting Kerala is an intellectual adventure.  It stands out as the Mount Everest of social development, its literacy rate among the highest on Earth, its infant mortality rate is low, its birthrate below America's and falling faster, its citizens live nearly as long as Americans, there is truly no place like it. It has a rate of newspaper readership that is among the highest in the world. - National Geographic Traveler Magazine (October 1999 issue)

Dr. Nair:

 Hi ! I'm glad to hear that you're getting good feedback from parents. I visit your website everyday. It looks good ! - 

Mely Sato 
Study Abroad Advisor
Cleveland State University   

Dr Nair ! 
The trip to India is really enjoyable to all of them. My Niece Beth is truly having  a very great time. The emails are keeping us informed as the others. The pictures are beautiful. Truly amazing. "Thank you" for giving them a great learning experience. Know they will never forget this trip.
 Pat Saltsman
 Aunt to Beth Anne Bonnacci 

 "I had many misconceptions about India when I came here. But I realize now that it is the culture which makes it richer than the U S  and I'll  always respect it" 
- Girisa A Reese (2000 Participant)

" We have found true goodness here. There are people in the U S whom I have visited several times and yet I am a stranger. The warmth  with the people here have embraced us, we'll never find anywhere else"
- Jennifer E Mamere (2000 Participant)

Dear Dr. Nair:
We are truly enjoying all the pictures and information you are sending ! It is so nice to be able to see Sarah and all of the students enjoying themselves at so many interesting places. It is almost as if we are there too ! Thank you so much for taking the time to send this information. We look forward to visiting the site each day.

Sincerely,

Marge Luecke 

Respected Prof. Antony, Loyola College

I am the mother of one of your Sociology students, Ms. A R Radhika. Last week, our daughter invited two American students, Sara Corrigan and Jehada to our house for a weekend stay. This letter is a reflection of our personal impressions of the host family experience.

These American students captured the attention of our family and the neighbours. Their humble and affectionate personality captured the respect and regards of all of us.  In a matter of few hours of association with these two American students I was able to change my past negative perceptions (please excuse) about the United States.  Their innocent approach in learning is really adorable. I really pray for all sorts of blessings in their lives. Please translate this letter into American English and hand it over to them. I would consider them as my own daughters for ever.
With love,
Ambika Rajagopalan.

Namasthe Dr. Nair
My mother and I want to thank you for all the pictures you have put on the website. It helps Girisa's baby when he is missing her.
Warm Regards,
Tivona 

Namaste Dr. Nair !!
 I see you all made it to India and you are having a wonderful time. I wish I could have gone. The pictures I see make me wish I could have gone.     - Steve Trager 

Passage to God's own country
They had only read about India and Kerala. They even had an orientation programme before coming here. But when they came here, nothing prepared them for what they saw. A Kerala that could not be limited to books or brochures. 
It is not their intention to see the 'flip side' of being in a third world nation but it is their desire to see the heart and soul of the land, her people and culture. Therefore, taking a bullock cart ride, eating with their hands from a plantain leaf at Sivagiri or watching Kathakali performance, is not a 'package offer' but an invaluable way of discovering the dynamics of Kerala. If the experiences of the groups brought over by Dr. Nair in the previous years are any indication, then going back can be really painful for these students.       

"The Hindu", Thursday, July 6, 2000. 
(A National Daily of India)

American students who have heard about the ancient cultural heritage of Kerala crossed several oceans and came here to find everything unique.

Within one month they have already seen our coconut trees, oceans, lakes, rivers, mountains and forests and now begin to start speaking Malayalam words. Kinship relationship such as Amma (mother), Acha (father), Ammavan (uncle) are fascinating to them. These eleven students and professors came here from America's Cleveland State University to experience Kerala's culture. This team is lead by Dr. Murali Nair, a professor from this university.

These American university students are eager to experience first hand what Professor Nair told them about Kerala's history, culture, Kathakali, Kaikottikali, Vanchipattu and other things. At last their dream came true on June 30th.

One of the students Lottie Renfro who came with Proffesor Nair learned to say "namaste" and like very much the way we respect the elders. She is specializing on gerontology. Jesse Urban Styles is a political science student and the Executive Director of the Republican Party around Cleveland. His wish is to work with the American Presidential candidate George W Bush upon his election to the White House.

Three sisters in the group claim that the Indian soil belongs to them too. They are the grand-daughters of a Bengali by the name of Dinesh, who migrated to the United States in 1920. This grandfather married an American women and had six children. If not this visit, these three sisters are determined to visit their grandfather's native place  (Calcutta) at another time. Their names are Meena, Biji and Girisa. Biji, one of the sisters, likes India so much that she is tempted to put a matrimonial advertisement in the newspapers to seek an Indian boy.

Always laughing Jennifer E Mamere belongs to the Jewish faith. She speaks of Indian and Kerala culture with respect. She is very proud to say that India is one of the few countries in the world where Jewish people are not harassed. She is planning to visit the Jewish Synagogue in Matancheri Cochin.

Deepika, Sunday, July 23, 2000
(A local Malayalam Daily)

"What I experienced is priceless, beyond dreams. There was love around me in the U S too, but I could actually feel it here.  Family ties are so strong. I was a perfect stranger to everyone I met, but they virtually bowled me over with their warmth. Kerala (India) has everything that the west has, but in a more simpler, natural form"
-La Wana Westmoreland (1999 Participant)

"My interest in Eastern religion led me to Kerala- This is only the beginning. I know I will be back, to do research"
-Eric Erickson (1999 Participant)

"An opportunity to visit the  Royal Family in Kerala (India) was a big thrill. The Princess radiates warmth and has such an elegant demeanor. We all had food sitting on the floor. We attended a Hindu wedding " for the feel of it"
- Sonjia McClung (1999 Participant)

"- in the West, people are definitely looking East. There is a huge interest in Yoga, Buddhist culture, Hindu religion. An opportunity to participate in the India Experience Program was a dream come true. India's religious and cultural histories are incomparable"- Sara Lineberger (1999 Participant)

"Kerala, India does not have the kind of poverty that people in the West associate with developing countries"
- Elaine Tigner (1999 Participant)

"Giving respect and love to others is all about Keralites"  - Donna Dickerson (1999 Participant)

"It was the jewel in the crown of my life. It was a culture shock to return to the U S. I definitely plan to go back" 
- Jeanne Evers (1997 Participant)

"It was so extensive ! It was more than I expected. The people of India were very friendly. They surpassed the normal hospitality. They went out of their way for you." Michelle Ingram (1997 Participant)

"It was one of the greatest aspects of my life. I felt freedom for the first time in India. The people of India act and think so freely "- Byron Swift (1997 Participant)