Blog #43: I'm Here for Class?

Sometimes I forget that I'm actually taking classes here in India, but then my friend sends me a study guide for a midterm we have on Monday and I'm like "Ohhhh yeah... I actually have to do schoolwork while I'm here." It's kind of weird.

My days are filled with so many activities other than class, and my classes themselves are less work-intensive than they are back home, so I don't spend a lot of time outside of university doing school things. I'm not complaining!

Despite the drastically smaller amount of homework I do on a daily basis, my education here has still helped me develop intellectually. I have learned about entirely new concepts, and been able to connect them to day-to-day experiences I have here in India. This is so cool.

I can go to temples now and recognize the gods and goddesses being depicted, or see instances of poverty and understand many of the underlying factors that have played a part in causing it. Although I say I sometimes forget I have class, the truth is that in this environment, I'm always aware of the the things I am learning. Being able to connect in-class concepts to the world around me, without even really trying to, has helped me to make learning the main goal of my education, as opposed to a grade. I can feel myself learning, but it doesn't feel like an obligation like most classes usually do.

So yeah, I'm here for class, but sometimes I just forget.

Hindu god Shiva and his consort, the goddess Parvati.