”India is truly different with its diversified culture and people, unlike America,” gleefully asserts Claire Rychlewski from America who has come to India to get the pinch of the place which she feels unique.
::related_image::images/news/news_updates/News-Feb-3-2012-claire.jpg
Mangalore (Karnataka), February 3, 2012: ”India is truly different with its diversified culture and people, unlike America,” gleefully asserts Claire Rychlewski from America who has come to India to get the pinch of the place which she feels unique.
“I was thrilled to know about the culture of India and study abroad programme came as a blessing in disguise to fulfill my long cherished dreams,” says the blonde who is studying various subjects in various colleges coming under Manipal University for the whole semester.
“It is indeed a privilege to be here with the touch of warmth and love showered by the people who really some days ago were strangers to me”.
Claire is doing her Journalism Majors in American University. The study abroad programme has offered her a unique opportunity to learn courses like history of media, cinema in India, regional security in south Asia, contemporary Indian society among other subjects in Manipal University.
Claire after attending the classes here is of the opinion that the teaching process is lecture based and not interactive in nature. She tells “It is one sided and less interaction takes place in class rooms. In American schools and colleges, it is a debate kind of thing with students and teachers.
They discuss with each other and students come out with their ideas of knowledge,” she adds.
She has visited places in and around Udupi like Moodbidri and Karkala. “Marvelous” the one word statement of expression by Claire with enthusiasm overflowing the eagerness to know more about Jain tradition explicitly affirmed her keenness towards the new culture.
She tells, “I have not seen such a tradition else where. It is something unique and I can never find this anywhere in the world except in India. One glimpse at it, the places of worship of Jains attracts one and seems to tell many untold saga of this ancient Indian religion,” she added.
Joint family tradition practiced in India is something that gives larger support to the children, feels Claire. However, she tells, “I cannot personally judge as I am new to this entire idea. Even back at home, I am not accustomed to the family culture as most of my school and college days were spent in hostel. The tradition is part of Indian culture and its origin is traced back to countless number of years. Hence, I personally feel I am not in a position to comment on it,” she adds.
Claire likes almost all Indian dishes. Her favorite is “Bendi Masala”. “I like it very much as it is tastier and the other dish I like to eat is paneer. It is so delicious,” she tells.
Besides, Claire has many Indian dresses and Kurtas dominate her collections in wardrobe.
“Everyone look pretty in Kurtas and saris give dignified look to whoever wears it. I want to try and I need sometime to learn how to drape it around the body,” she giggles. – News & Image Courtesy: Manjushree G Naik, Deccan Herald