Location: India
Service site: Bandhwari Village
Cities visited: Delhi, Agra, Jaipur
Duration: 10 days
Organizations involved: International Business Honor Society (IBHS), Masters of Arts in Global Affairs (MAGA), Inspiration India
I am reminded of a quote by Henry Miller that says, “one’s destination is never a place, but always a new way of seeing things.” This effectively summarizes my trip to India. I left India with a new perspective on life, people and the world as a whole.
The aim of this service trip was to continue the initiative, started by the International Business Honor Society at FIU, by helping to economically empower women from a village named Bandhwari on the outskirts of New Delhi, India. Along with our product development work with the women, our group was able to volunteer at the local school through educational activities and games with the children. Each child had the biggest smile on their face when we would arrive each day, full of joy and excitement for what the day would hold. I came to the realization that happiness knows no status and this was proven through the joy that these children possessed despite their economic conditions.
I had the opportunity to work with a few of the girls enrolled in the Open University. These girls were extremely intelligent and each of them had a desire to improve their English- so that is what we did for the time we were together. Whilst conducting activities aimed at expanding their vocabularies, it dawned on me that if I shared a few life lessons with them, things that could inspire them and help them on the road to reaching their goals and dreams, then I would have made a lasting impact. So I did just that, and the more I got to know them and showed them how much I cared to see them succeed, the more they opened up. I have always been passionate about the empowerment of women and girls, and this trip confirmed that I am the most fulfilled and happy when I am in one way or another working with or working to empower these groups. At the end of the 5 days we spent in the village, the girls I had worked with gave me a special hand made Indian garment as a sign of gratitude for the time I had spent with them. This really touched my heart, and little do they know how much the time spent with them poured into me. It is awe-inspiring that these girls are getting an education and are hungry to learn, despite the cultural restrictions and economic hardships that they face, and they still manage to succeed.
Overall, this service trip allowed me to immerse myself in a new culture, opened my mind to new ways of thinking, and helped me form connections and relationships with people who come from very different backgrounds that I do. More importantly, it taught me empathy. It taught me to always be grateful for what I have, and that even the smallest acts of kindness and service can go a very long way.
Service site: Bandhwari Village
Cities visited: Delhi, Agra, Jaipur
Duration: 10 days
Organizations involved: International Business Honor Society (IBHS), Masters of Arts in Global Affairs (MAGA), Inspiration India
I am reminded of a quote by Henry Miller that says, “one’s destination is never a place, but always a new way of seeing things.” This effectively summarizes my trip to India. I left India with a new perspective on life, people and the world as a whole.
The aim of this service trip was to continue the initiative, started by the International Business Honor Society at FIU, by helping to economically empower women from a village named Bandhwari on the outskirts of New Delhi, India. Along with our product development work with the women, our group was able to volunteer at the local school through educational activities and games with the children. Each child had the biggest smile on their face when we would arrive each day, full of joy and excitement for what the day would hold. I came to the realization that happiness knows no status and this was proven through the joy that these children possessed despite their economic conditions.
I had the opportunity to work with a few of the girls enrolled in the Open University. These girls were extremely intelligent and each of them had a desire to improve their English- so that is what we did for the time we were together. Whilst conducting activities aimed at expanding their vocabularies, it dawned on me that if I shared a few life lessons with them, things that could inspire them and help them on the road to reaching their goals and dreams, then I would have made a lasting impact. So I did just that, and the more I got to know them and showed them how much I cared to see them succeed, the more they opened up. I have always been passionate about the empowerment of women and girls, and this trip confirmed that I am the most fulfilled and happy when I am in one way or another working with or working to empower these groups. At the end of the 5 days we spent in the village, the girls I had worked with gave me a special hand made Indian garment as a sign of gratitude for the time I had spent with them. This really touched my heart, and little do they know how much the time spent with them poured into me. It is awe-inspiring that these girls are getting an education and are hungry to learn, despite the cultural restrictions and economic hardships that they face, and they still manage to succeed.
Overall, this service trip allowed me to immerse myself in a new culture, opened my mind to new ways of thinking, and helped me form connections and relationships with people who come from very different backgrounds that I do. More importantly, it taught me empathy. It taught me to always be grateful for what I have, and that even the smallest acts of kindness and service can go a very long way.