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Why did you enroll in this class?
I decided to enroll in this class for many
different reasons. I had never traveled
to India, so I thought that this would be
a great time to do it and I wanted to take
advantage of the opportunity to go with
professors who were knowledgeable, both
in the subjects that we were studying as
well as with the country. I was also interested
in learning more about CIIS’s origins
. And, I have done a lot of traveling, but
never with a class, so I wanted to see what
that experience was like.
What was it like being in India
for the first time? What were you impressions
of Auroville?
This was my first trip to Asia, as well.
I had heard a lot of things from people
who had gone to India and I think that they
were right: it is an amazing experience.
For me it was a combination of factors
that made the trip so remarkable. I had
this recognition of a place; in fact, certain
aspects of India reminded me of Colombia,
my home country. At the same time, being
in India was an encounter with a very different
culture. It is hard to put the experience
into words. You just have to experience
it yourself!
Auroville was interesting to me. I did
not have an organic reaction to it, like
I did to other parts of India. However,
I really appreciated the experiment that
the Aurovilians are creating. I felt that
I learned a lot about integral living. I
was glad to meet people who were trying
to live a life that was directly related
to their personal, communal, and spiritual
beliefs. I met some incredible people with
whom I hope to keep in touch.
What impact did the class have
on you—personally, professionally,
and/or spiritually?
I feel that I learned a lot about myself
at all these different levels. Being in
a place where familiar reference points
are missing is a great way to speed up the
learning process. I felt simultaneously
more grounded yet open to alternatives.
The experience served to remind me, at all
these different levels, of what I believe
to be important and inspiring.
Describe any highlights from your
experience in Auroville?
To me, the highlight of the trip was our
group experience. We were 15 people who
traveled, ate, cried, laughed, and went
shopping together, and challenged and supported
each other 24/7 for two weeks. We learned
how to be with each other and how to hold
our own space. We learned about ourselves
through our relationships. It was truly
an unforgettable group of people.
What special project or area of
research did you work on while in Auroville?
I was interested in looking at how the
Auroville community interacted and supported
the local communities. I concentrated on
a project that works with teenage girls
who, for one reason or another, have dropped
out of high school. The transition program
works with them and their families by giving
them a small stipend and providing them
with job training. The girls are trained
in tailoring and other activities, and,
most importantly in my opinion, can engage
in support groups, counseling sessions,
and self-esteem workshops. I met a wonderful
woman named Harini who has been a part of
this project since its beginning. She is
Tamil and has been living in Auroville for
about eight years. It was very interesting
and informative to hear the point of view
of an Indian living in Auroville.
What are the unique benefits of
studying in India, specifically in Auroville?
It is important for CIIS to hold these
types of classes in Auroville, India, because
they provide students with the opportunity
to see what CIIS is all about in an experiential
way. Auroville in particular provides a
place where East and West meet in a very
specific manner, under a particular philosophy.
Personally I think that just to travel abroad,
and see and experience the East or any culture,
is enriching. I would wholeheartedly support
trips anywhere in the world for academic
purposes. I think it is important to view
the larger context and to immerse ourselves
in places that are very different.
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Maria
Jose Perry