Closing Reflections

The 28 days of our program were filled with constant movement, the immersion into ways of life we are not accustomed to, and the opportunity to experience a culture that is religiously, linguistically, and structurally shocking in relation to our respective homes. The people we have become throughout the month have been so greatly influenced by the unique experiences we have had that we would not be who we are, psychologically and mentally, without them. We have experienced an intense rise in globalization and biculturalism of the ways of life that are present, which has enabled us to make connections to our separate and individual lives. Generally, culture is rooted in the places each of us have grown up in with the people who are considered family and friends. However, I believe today all of us can say that each of our cultural identities are now also composed of a more global aspect -- the styles, events, and practices of this extremely contrasting country we have been a part of during this time in our lives. This group has been very fortunate to be a part of this integration into the Indian culture, and each one of us will take away new insights that will stay with us for years to come.