Follow Your Bliss!

 By Danielle R. 

The Temple summer program in India, which I attended in 2004, has been the most invaluable experience of my life. Few visitors to India, not even other study abroad students, have such a unique opportunity to engage in cultural immersion. What made the program so special was that it was based in Dhrangadhra, a small town that we could explore with the guidance of Dr. Jhala, an anthropologist who is also a respected member of the community. We students lived in a medieval palace which was a focal point of the town. The community was grateful that students came to visit in the summer and eager to open their doors and share their perspectives. While Dhrangadhra was small and safe enough to explore without an entourage, I welcomed the staff at the palace who became my brothers.

Dhrangadhra was also located in an area that made it convenient to take excursions to other interesting places in Gujarat and Rajasthan. During the program, I was able to travel to the Portuguese island-town Dui, the honeymoon spot Mount Abu, the pilgrimage site Mount Girnar (which is 5,000 steps to the top), the capital Ahmedabad, historically rich Jamnagar, and many small villages. I also traveled for a week and a half after the program to the Taj Mahal, Delhi, and to numerous cities in the state of Rajasthan. It is perpetually exciting in India. The simplest interactions present new challenges and chances to open the mind.

It was heartbreaking go home, and I resolved that I would return for a longer period someday. I never expected to have that opportunity only six years later. In 2008, I continued my education at Temple through the Beasley School of Law. I hoped to combine my anthropological background with international law. While researching abroad programs for this summer, I found the only one that is located in India through Touro Law Center. I immediately enrolled. Having spent five and a half weeks in India in 2004, I can be confident and comfortable in exploring the northern region for a longer period of time. After the five-week law program in Shimla and Dharamsala is finished, I plan to volunteer for three weeks and then to travel for another two and a half weeks. While after my first experience in India, I was worried that I would never be able to return, I now regard the experience as a supportive introduction to a culture that I aspire to explore throughout my life.