India

"India is a country of disparities."

On my first full day in India, we met with Shrikant Bangdiwala, a research professor from UNC that works in biostatistics. He kept emphasizing that India is full of disparities. It's a somewhat new democracy and the largest in the world for that matter! With Ganhi's efforts, India was liberated in 1947 from the Brits. It's secular. So many religions fill India's culture-Hinduism, Buddhism, Janism, Sikhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam. India has a wide economic gap. Two of the five richest people in the world are from India, but India remains a third-world country. You can't be outside for more than five minutes without witnessing the devastating and obvious health, poverty, and space issues.

Disparity is defined as "a lack of similarity or equality; inequality; difference." When I think of my summer experiences, I think of disparities. I started off in Italy where almost 88% of people identify themselves as Roman Catholic, like myself. I then moved onto India which can only be described as "sensory overload."

What makes a person process something and want to remember it or share it? For whatever reason, blogging in Italy didn't come easily. I met some incredible inspiring people and some friends that I will most likely keep in touch with for years, but writing my thoughts down didn't seem natural. Nevertheless, I do want to remember the people and places that have influenced me this summer.

I am so fortunate to have this opportunity in India. Several members of the Duke faculty applied for a Fulbright grant to bring undergraduate students and mentor Durham teachers to India for a cultural immersion trip in hopes to create more global cirriculums and a better awareness of countries far away. Being gone the entire summer is tiring, but incredibly valuable. The grant covered all our flights, hotel accommodations, meals, transportation, and activities. The only thing i'm responsible for is the occasional chocolate bar and gifts for my sisters.

Fun facts!!!
1) India's national animal is the Bengal tiger, and India is home to about half of the world's tiger population!
2) India's national sport is field hockey

While blogging, i'm going to intersperse my India memories with Italy ones too. Maybe blogging for both at the same time, will help me recognize and appreciate differences and similarities.