Study Abroad

Study Abroad
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5245 USA
(269) 387-5890

We Made It! - IndiBroncos 2017 Day 1

Posted by Jennifer Harrison on
July 8, 2019
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Jennifer Harrison
Assistant Professor, School of Social Work
Social Justice and Sustainability in India, Fall 2017

 

Indian local market filled with colors.

We all arrived safely in Bangalore.  Some of us (Cici, Ryan, Tom, and Joe) had to run fast to catch their connection in Paris and are hoping to get their lost luggage delivered tomorrow and Lydia ended up flying through Frankfurt and arrived a few hours after the rest of the group. I got to stay and wait for Lydia’s flight and as a result got to see many families seeing each other upon their arrival and in some cases perhaps meeting babies for the first time who would be picked up from strollers and carriers and passed around lovingly.  Seeing the affection of men with men and women with women always strikes me here and reminds me to show my caring to friends and family through touch as well as words.

Male and female student having flower rings around their necks

That said, all of the IndiBroncos are safe and enjoying our first day at Christ University.  After a traditional welcome ceremony we all received dals around our necks and bindis in our foreheads.  We had a tour of the zero waste campus while students were playing cricket and studying for exams and some even ventured to the hyper market during free time.  We had the most amazing lunch at Savovar Portico and Chef Patil provided us with amazing starters.  The thai curry and buttered naan were my favorites, unless you count the chocolate and berry dessert cups in an edible white chocolate bowl.  Lexi declared that even the French fries were some of the best she had ever had.

A flower made by Indian ingredients on the ground

We had the opportunity to go to the rooftop and see all of Bangalore, the garden city, stretching before us in all directions.  On our way back to CU we drove through a spice and produce market and the scents were wonderful especially when together with the cows pleasantly munching on veggie trimmings beside the market and the sounds of so many horns in the intense traffic.
 
Upon arriving back at CU Jake led us in a wonderful daily reflection about our five senses and what we had noticed during our one day.
The students got to meet their CU buddies for dinner and Mary and Patti got a wonderful ginger lime soda while walking around the city.  Tim was able to connect with the CU MBA students and word has it a daringly spicy meal was in the plans.Tomorrow we have our opening ceremony and will learn about CU’s sustainability and Center for Social Action programs.  Everything here is a feast for all of the senses and we could not be happier to be on the journey together.  
 
Categories: Asia, India, School of Social Work, College of Health and Human Services, Academics, Communication, Courses and credits, Family and friends, Getting around, Pre-departure, Fall.