US students get inspired by course in city institute

Many trips can become life-changing experiences, but only a few can inspire one to take up social work. At Vivekananda Institute of Indian Studies (VIIS), Julie Grunklee, a student from the University of Iowa, United States, is so inspired by her trip to India that she has decided to start an NGO in the US, which aims to campaign against diseases caused by eating disorders. Julie is a professionally trained nurse.

Ingrid Folkers, another student from the same university, will be travelling to Nepal to learn about the nation’s culture and to be of some help to the victims of the recent earthquakes.

Sharing their experiences of their three-week visit to India, students of UoI admitted that staying in India was completely out of their comfort zone and it has changed the way they see the world. Their visit to India was a part of VIIS’s programme to introduce India and Indianess to the world.

“Our aim is not to show tourist places to foreign students, where they can click pictures of themselves. We want them to see India in a positive way and carry a glorified image of this country,” said Sindhu Suresh, director of VIIS.

VIIS was established in 2008 to promote and facilitate the study, research, development and dissemination of Indian culture, spirituality, dance, music and art and philosophy to the rest of the world. It offers various programmes to 22 universities across the globe, mostly from the US. Students come to India to get a fresh experience.

The students, who are studying varied subjects like Communications, International Relations, Geology, Religion and Culture, Psychology and other subjects were thankful to the institution for having given them an opportunity to relate to their subjects from a different country.

Recently, VIIS has started one-day workshops for Indian students, to introduce them to the glorious past of India and to create patriotism among them.