2015
Matt Juden, who graduated in the summer with a 2:1 in Business Management, and Ruth Steen, a second year Economics with Finance student, recount their experience of the Study India, two-week cultural immersion programme, run by IndoGenius on behalf of the British council and Generation UK-India. The programme which took 150 UK students to New Delhi and Mumbai aims to give students an understanding of India’s diversity, complexity and scale and how this knowledge can benefit their own lives and careers.
“To say the programme was life changing, sounds not only clichéd but grossly under evaluates quite how privileged we were” recounts Matt. “We enjoyed trips into rural Maharashta where we met and ate with local villagers; endured a 17 hour overnight train from New Delhi to Mumbai, with 3 to a bunk and 6 to a berth; had a 4.30am bike tour of downtown Bombay; had talks with journalist Sir Mark Tully and the Deputy High Commissioner of India as well as visits to the Bombay Stock Exchange, the iconic Taj Mahal and the Lotus Temple, amongst other things”. Ruth adds how “most mornings, before breakfast we had the opportunity to start the day in true Indian style with either a Yoga class or a Bollywood dance class.”
The trip involved time at the University of Delhi where Matt and Ruth attended guest lectures, learnt about the Indian education system and met students of the university. They were there during fresher’s week so had lots of activities to keep them entertained.
Matt recounts “what struck many of us, aside from how undeniably talented the students were, was fundamentally how incredibly inclusive and supportive they were of each other, and entrepreneurial. I think in the West, we are unhealthily concerned with society’s perception of us and how we ought to look, think and feel and so in search of the path of least resistance, it can be all too easy to settle, accept our boundaries and the status quo. Yet to make waves in any industry or indeed just in our own lives it is fundamentally key to continually seek alternatives, challenge the norms and strive to be the best in everything we do. It is this drive and determination which defines the Indian people and the reason for India’s rapidly growing economy.”
Ruth commented on her visit to the Dharavi slum “what I found most astonishing, was the entrepreneurial spirit and motivation of those, even in the poorest conditions. People here have learnt to make the most of what they have, which I feel is an attitude we could do with much more of back at home.”
Both students recommend a visit to India with Matt fondly recounting the country as “an unquantifiable dichotomy of intrigue, delight and undeniable mayhem - a truly inspiring and unforgettable experience”. Ruth concluded her experience as “the perfect opportunity to pursue my desire to learn, travel and meet new people all in one go. India is more than just a country - it is an experience and a place you need to see.”