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Category: 2024 fellows

Meditation in the Mountainous City — Kandy

Meditation in the Mountainous City — Kandy

As I shouldered my backpack and bid farewell to my gracious host, I hailed a tuk-tuk in a rush of excitement and anticipation. I was on my way to Kandy, the mountainous heart of Sri Lanka, accompanied by my friend Mitshi. Our journey had been postponed due to transportation challenges and personal commitments. Mitshi had explained that Kandy and Colombo experience a weekly commuter surge as many travel for work. Tickets are especially scarce on Friday afternoons and Saturdays. Additionally,…

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All of the “-tions”: Preparation, Anticipation, Emotion

All of the “-tions”: Preparation, Anticipation, Emotion

Preparation At first it was months, then weeks, and now a matter of days until I depart for India. Although I have had a few months to prepare for my time in India, the time has flied, almost as if I was having fun. Things like arranging the details of my internship, applying for my tourist visa, getting the appropriate vaccines to work with rural populations in a healthcare setting (Japanese encephalitis, typhoid fever, and cholera to name a few),…

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City of a Thousand Temples

City of a Thousand Temples

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Blog 3 – Festivities This blog post will be a touch shorter, yet I couldn’t resist dedicating an entire entry to the Wooden Chariot Festival—it’s unlike anything I’ve ever witnessed. To give you some background, Kanchipuram is renowned for three primary attractions: its sarees, its temples, and its idlis. And today, it was the temples’ moment in the spotlight. In Kanchipuram, the two most celebrated temples are the Perumal (Vishnu) temple and the Shiva temple. The exact nature of the…

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Privilege and New Experiences

Privilege and New Experiences

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Blog 2 – My First Two Weeks in India The past two weeks have been surreal, with so many ups and downs. Honestly, though, on the surface, nothing has truly surprised me. Through my trip and work in India, I aim to immerse myself in Indian culture, refine my mother tongue, enhance my global awareness, and most importantly, embrace a more adventurous and risk-taking spirit – I’m confident I will! However, my parents have done everything they can to shield…

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Embracing Colombo: A Journey of Discovery

Embracing Colombo: A Journey of Discovery

Colombo has truly captured my heart as a city that’s not only wonderful to visit but also a charming place to study and live. The warmth and genuine spirit of the people here have allowed me to form meaningful connections, offering me an authentic understanding of their views on life in Sri Lanka. I’m fascinated by the intricate nuances of the local perspective, particularly when discussing the relationship between Sri Lanka and India and how people see the political landscape,…

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What Does it Mean to be Indian?

What Does it Mean to be Indian?

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Blog 1 – Pre-departure (but not really) Currently sitting in a hotel in Chennai, I am writing this post, preparing myself to experience a country I haven’t visited in eight years. Tomorrow, I will travel to Kanchipuram, a city renowned for its temples and sarees, just a 2-hour drive from the larger city of Chennai. I’ll be beginning my work with Hand in Hand’s health sector, an NGO that utilizes funding, mostly from CSR, to improve public health infrastructure and…

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Flying to the Pearl (Predeparture)

Flying to the Pearl (Predeparture)

Before my flight to the enchanting island of Sri Lanka, I found myself wrestling with a mix of eager anticipation and an unexpected visitor: nostalgia. My heart ached a little, throbbing with the yearning to see my family back in China. It had been a full year—a year of growth, challenges, and countless memories, yet none experienced with those I hold dear. I am, by nature, reveling in the joys of travel. The open road has always been my teacher,…

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Yixin Zhang

Yixin Zhang

Hello! I’m Yixin Zhang, an aspiring international studies sophomore at the University of Michigan with a prospective minor in earth science. My academic and extracurricular journey reflects my enthusiasm for global affairs, with a keen focus on human rights and state sovereignty issues. Engaged with the BLI, UROP, and former experience in CSG, I actively contribute to our campus intellectual ecosystem. With the intent of collaborating with a New Delhi think tank, I aim to delve into South Asia’s dynamic…

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Jorja Wegryn-Jones

Jorja Wegryn-Jones

Hi there! My name is Jorja (she/her), and I’m a junior in the College of LS&A. I ultimately would like to become a Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) who focuses on preventative and holistic health for underserved populations, and is actively aware of the political and sociocultural framework that our healthcare practices are shaped by. I will be volunteering with the Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement in Mysuru, Karnataka (in the South). I am incredibly excited to assist with their community health…

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Maanas Varma

Maanas Varma

Hi, I’m Maanas Varma, a music performance sophomore who is actively involved with the Wolveraas dance team and the Indian American Student Association. I’m thrilled to be heading to Jaipur this summer, where I’ll have the privilege of interning with well-renowned Hindustani classical violin teachers. I will enhance my understanding and skill of this traditional art form while contributing to its rich legacy through personal growth and artistic exploration. I am so excited and look forward to sharing my experiences…

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