Fireflies, South India: FAQ

Do I have to know another language to be able to participate in the program?
No. Most people who you will be interacting with during the India semester speak English. You may learn a few phrases and words in one of the local languages while you are there, but English will be spoken for the most part.
                              
What are the classes like?
While in India, students take four sequential courses: Indian Life and Culture, Development in India, Peace, Justice, and Social Movements, and a Field Study Seminar/Independent Study Project. The courses give students an extremely in-depth look at India, both from local and global perspectives. In addition, students explore issues dealing with globalization, social movements, environmental issues, and cultural transition.

During the week, students will attend between 2 and 4 sessions a day. Classes are taught by prestigious professors, academics, and experts from all over India, as well as outside the country.

In addition to the in-class work, the semester includes numerous field excursions that take you outside the ashram and immerse you in Indian life and culture. These trips can be anywhere from 1 day to 1 week, and include trips to non-governmental organizations, human rights organizations, rural villages, prominent South Indian cities, and ecological sanctuaries, etc. This experiential learning component really enhances this program and is considered the most valuable portion of the semester abroad in India by many former participants.

What do students do when they are not in class?
There are numerous options for activities outside of class. In past years, students have taken day trips into Bangalore, to experience the urban culture of India. Bangalore is a great city in which to shop, explore native cuisine, and see first-hand the economic development that India is undergoing.

In addition, if students prefer to stay at the ashram, there is a volleyball court on-site, which became a popular activity for former participants. Also, Fireflies has a pool on its grounds which can be another relaxing activity for students.

Other activities students can engage in are meditation, yoga, journal-writing, walking through surrounding villages, visiting and helping the women in the kitchen, and interacting with visitors at the ashram. The possibilities are really endless.

Also...since Fireflies promotes the celebration of local festivals, students are often invited and encouraged to attend local celebrations in surrounding villages. These serve as learning experiences and also allow students to interact with villagers. In past years students have attended puja ceremonies that honor special occasions, a ‘cow festival’ that celebrated the significance of these animals in Indian life, a coming-of-age ceremony for a young village girl, and a ‘Remembrance Tree’ ceremony where a tree was planted over the grave of a villager to symbolize the cycle of life, as well as many other festivals and celebrations.

What are the accommodations like?
Accommodations at Fireflies Ashram are welcoming, relaxed, and comfortable.  Students can choose to stay in spacious rooms with other students, or they can stay in a single room.  Each room has beds (already outfitted with sheets and blankets), desks, bookshelves, closets, and a private bathroom.  Towels and extra bed sheets are provided.

In addition to the bedrooms, Fireflies offers students the use of their meditation halls, walking paths, and library. There is also a health center on-site, as well as easy access to off-campus health services.  

The ashram staff provides you with fresh hot meals three times a day, as well as snacks and tea throughout the day. Each meal is served buffet style, with plenty of variety. The ashram staff cooks primarily south Indian cuisine, however on occasion they will cook some “western” food such as pasta. 

There is a computer lab and several telephones available for use at Fireflies. This allows for easy contacts with family and friends at home. Also, students are able to use the computers to write papers and journals. (However, it is recommended that students who have laptop computers do bring their laptops.

Location and Contact Information
The Office of Study Abroad is located in the Anisfield School of Business, room ASB-123. Our phone number is (201) 684-7533. E-mail - goabroad@ramapo.edu

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