UK students experience the Indian way of life

Exchange programmes, cultural immersions etc can teach a lot of things to a student who has lived all his/ her life within the neighbourhood or city limits. Recently, 230 students from UK landed in India to improve their understanding of our multi cultural and multi ethnic society. This initiative is a part of two key programmes-the Global Fellowship Programme and the Study India Programme launched by the UK-India Education and Research Initiative (UKIERI).

These students will get a complete exposure to the Indian way of life. Indian education system, work practices etc are on the agenda. From living with an Indian host family to studying in Indian institutions and making friends with fellow students, to working with one of India's top corporate offices, these students will get to experience et all in just over 4 weeks.

DNA spoke to these student ambassadors after the first 2 weeks of their stay and this is what they had to say

Name: Ava Mayor, (Age-18)
School:  The Latymer School

"I had heard that the Indian custom was to treat guests as gods, but actually arriving and meeting Indians for yourself is a different experience altogether. The people I've met here are accommodating in every sense. Maharati restaurants serve visitors from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, Delhi's lotus temple makes room for every religion, while tourists are offered seats on the local buses by old men who have trouble standing.

Never have I been given such a large range of food and drink since I moved in with my host family. Back home, Londoners lack the patience that people naturally live and breathe here. While we stick to a strict schedule, rushing around from one place to another without much worry about who we walk over in the process, teenagers in Bombay are laid-back and flexible, changing their plans at the last minute to ensure that everyone's having a good time.

Patience and acceptance are two virtues I'm learning to develop while I'm here. The early evening Bombay traffic demands a tolerance and self-composure that can even be seen in the Indian education system. My friend Ramya, who lives in North Mumbai, is shocked when I tell her that I hadn't considered going on to study for an MBA after graduation. It's the expectation here, she tells me coolly, for Indians to have multiple degrees; "at least three".

The billboards around town I'd expect to see plastered with adverts for perfume and underwear are replaced in true Indian style with images of laughing teenagers at graduation ceremonies or aspiring engineers beside college logos.

The understanding is that real rewards come from hard work, an admirable quality rather than a 'geeky' trait that is sneered at by many British teenagers. We'd better start changing our attitudes and catch up soon if we ever hope to work alongside Indians on a global scale. "

Name: Rachel Williams, (Age-18)
School: Wirral Grammar School for Girls

"Oh my god I can't believe it, I've never been this far away from home'". In the words of the Kaiser Chiefs (shameful I must admit), this was exactly the phrase that washed over me almost immediately after stepping out of the airport terminal in Delhi, enveloped by a muffling blanket of humidity; bustling, beeping taxis and the buzz of a foreign tongue I barely recognised even one word of.

From that first moment, I knew that I would regret blinking for too long in spite of missing a single second of what was going on around me in this new and exciting atmosphere - and two weeks into the programme, I still keep my eyes prised open to watch the Indian culture and way of life blossom before me.

I have learnt a vast amount during my travels so far, comparing Indian lifestyles to our experiences at home - and even comparing the different atmospheres of Delhi and Mumbai, where commercialisation seems to have transformed the coastal city to a modern, western-tinged brightness. However, I have come to see how the culture and history of India seems to have a strong influence on many things, despite the apparent impingement of 'western values' that many talk about: for example in Indian food, pastimes, family life and business.

Patriotism is important here and understanding of culture is integral to get a true taste of the country. In the next few weeks, I am anticipating learning more about the education and political systems of India, spending time in St Xavier's college and working at Tata's TCS."

Name: Alex Benedyk, Age: 18
School: Watford Grammar School for Boys

"I have now completed my 2 weeks cultural immersion in the capital and Mumbai, and have entered into my 2 week stint with a host family here in Sion, Mumbai, about 40 minutes away from the heart of Mumbai. I am spending 2 weeks at a top college called SIES.

The host family is exceptionally accommodating. My peer mentor is Ravi and he lives with his parents. All 3 are incredibly welcoming and have made me feel part of the family. There are certainly cultural difficulties such as Indian style loo, no shower and other bits and pieces! This is how people live here and I am here to adapt and enjoy!

So far, I have been to a spiritual temple, a Hindu festival which involves saying Vishnu one thousand and eight times, visited a dance studio and eaten all types of Indian food including dosas, uttapahs and rotis. The food is sensational to be honest!"

Name: Frances Kitt, Age: 18
School: Pate's Grammar School, South West

I am living in a flat in the Heritage Society in North Bangalore with Nupur, her parents and her five-year-old sister. Living in a 'society' is really different to how we live in the UK. Back home we tend to live in separate houses with separate facilities and living spaces. Often people don't interact with their neighbours at all but here it is very different.

This made me reflect greatly on our own society - we need to give greater trust to our neighbours and create more of a community spirit, especially in urban areas. The spirit and importance of the community is something I think often is overlooked back home as we lead such busy lives.

Name: Jinal Shah, (Age: 18)
School: Wyggeston and Queen Elizabeth I College

One theory I have is that the need to acquire knowledge is ingrained into Indian culture. What surprised me the most was the aspiration of the children in India, practically every child that I meet wants to become an engineer or a doctor. I even get the same response when I ask the children at government funded state schools. There is huge pressure for the children to study academic subjects. There is a certain stigma attached to studying vocational courses.

I would like to take a moment here to praise the Indian government on the work it is doing for impoverished children. I understand that such government initiatives are hard to implement all across the whole of India, but it may be easier on a state to state basis.

Today I noticed first hand, the difference it can make, working and playing games with the ASK children. They were really intelligent and picked up our games really easily and quickly. Speaking to them and hearing the words 'I want to be a software engineer'; although I have heard it a million times on this trip, put a huge smile onto my face.