Spring Break Adventures: India
Fourteen students are spending Spring Break in India as part of “Doing Business in Indian Culture,” a new course at BU. Keep pace with the group as they write about experiences in Delhi, Chennai, and Mumbai.
From Charlie Lordo ‘09…
I have been letting everything from the trip sink in, and our class experienced so many different cultural aspects of India, I don’t even know where to start. When I first heard about the trip in Jim Foley’s class, I did not think it was something that would interest me. After giving it some serious thought, I decided the trip might be a good learning experience. I never imagined it would be so interesting and exciting.
One of the most amazing things that happened during our time in India was our visit to Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), where we interacted with Indian graduate students. While we were on campus, four journalists from the Times of India, The Hindu, the Deccan Chronicle, and the Indian Express listened to every detail of our visit. Little did we know that the story of Bradley University students visiting India was in all four newspapers the following day. The articles described the interaction between the VIT and Bradley students. We were quoted on our observations of Indian culture, technology, business, weather, food, and more.
Our instructor, Raj Iyer, who was born and raised in Mumbai, was a huge reason for the success of our trip. He could answer every question we had about all the different religions, class systems, etc. He speaks at least six languages, and he connected so easily with the Indian people. Between our two instructors, Jim Foley and Raj, we could not have had better teachers to travel with and take in the India from an international business class perspective.
This trip was an all-around amazing experience, and I encourage anyone who is remotely interested in traveling to step out of your comfort zone and experience the cultures of India.
From Charlie Lordo ‘09…
We are about to leave for the airport from our wonderful 10 days in India. We have seen so much and stayed painfully busy. As I look back on the experience, one of the most awesome sites was in New Delhi, the infamous Taj Mahal. Built in the 1500s, it is the most incredible piece of architecture I have ever seen. It is made completely from marble with inlaid semi-precious stones. It is perfectly symmetrical, and the impressive part about it is that its builders had no measuring system to calculate the symmetrical structure. It is massive in size and breathtakingly beautiful.
Today we took a tour of Parle Company, the largest biscuit-making factory in the world. Parle produces three times more product than the number two competitor, Nabisco. The aroma of thousands of cookies and candies being made just feet from where we were standing was overwhelming. We didn’t just get to smell them either. They gave us samples of mouth-watering cookies and sweet chocolate candies. It was definitely a delicious stop.
The culture in India is incredibly different than the U.S. Just walking down the street, if you are claustrophobic, it could be a problem… just kidding. It is a very self-sufficient society that is constantly growing. This was a life-altering experience, and I encourage anyone who is craving a culture shock to visit this unique country. India is truly incredible.
From Jim Foley…
We flew safely to Mumbai yesterday. The Trident Hotel is the best yet. Although it was not the hotel we originally booked, tourism is quite down, and our logistics company was able to secure this very nice hotel at no additional charge. The students are being spoiled.
One highlight of the day was our successful “running with the Dabbalawas,” which was more walking than running. It gave us a first-hand view of the world-known lunch delivery service made famous by a visit from Prince Charles. It also meant travel on the local trains, which was pretty remarkable.
But the real highlight was when we picked up our lunch at a home. We were told that the actor who played young Jamal in Slum Dog Millionaire lived there. Indeed, a “Congrats on Oscar Winning Picture” billboard was outside the apartment complex. Then the security guard told our group the young man would enjoy a visit, so our guide made his way to the apartment and talked with his mom. She explained he was taking a nap but, of course, he could come outside. Virtually all our group had seen the movie, and we were captivated by this young child’s warmth and smile. Still in his pajama’s, he accepted having his photo taken with us. It was great fun.
The students have the rest of today off, and we have a final business visit tomorrow at a cookie/candy factory. Our flight home leaves around 10 p.m. Saturday. We’ll leave the hotel at 6 p.m. due to traffic and the need for a three-hour check in.
From Charlie Lordo ‘09…
We are half way into our trip now. We are leaving tomorrow morning from Chennai, the gateway to the southern coast of India to travel to Mumbai, the commercial capital of India. We are finished with the sightseeing and are now continuing on to the business part of this trip.
Today we went to a university called VIT, one of the most prestigious schools in India. We had an amazing experience interacting with VIT’s Indian MBA students and discussing the cultural differences between the U.S. and India. Needless to say, a comment that our group made was about the heat. The Indian students found that humorous, considering this is just the start of their summer, and the temperature is predicted to raise 20-25 degrees within the next few months. It is extremely hot and incredibly humid.
The Indian people treat us like royalty. Everywhere we go, people stare at us like we are celebrities, and often ask us if they can take pictures with us. This is something that all of us will definitely miss when we come back to the U.S. I will write again when we reach our third and final city.
From Charlie Lordo ‘09…
We have done so much since we landed in India - everything from visiting the infamous Taj Mahal to dancing with the locals at night. We have been here for three days now, and each day brings something new and exciting that shocks all of us.
On our way to Agra to see the Red Fort and the Taj Mahal, the locals displayed their pet monkeys and played with venomous cobra snakes, all for a price, of course. Here in India, many of the locals love to help with anything and everything, but they always expect to get paid for what they do.
For instance, as soon as we got off the bus that took us to the airport for our flight to Chennai, people swarmed the back of the bus where we were unloading the luggage to help put it on carts for us. We tried as hard as we could to get them NOT to help us because we knew that we would have to pay them. After about 10 minutes of putting the luggage together, they followed us all the way to the entrance of the building, trying to push the carts for us. It is sad seeing the poverty in this country and the ways people try to earn money.
It was a great honor to tour the IIFT (Indian Institute of Foreign Trade), one of the top 10 graduate universities in India. We have packed schedules for the rest of the time, and I will keep the blog going as we continue the trip.
From Charlie Lordo ‘09…
We have just arrived at our first destination out of three: New Delhi. The trip has been long but pretty easy. We arrived at our hotel at about 9 p.m. in New Delhi, which is about 8:30 a.m. U.S. time. Although we have not experienced the city in daylight, the evening bus ride was an eye opener. Half of the people here do not have side mirrors on their cars; everyone honks their horns to let others know where they are on the road. Another odd thing is if a driver is trying to pass another vehicle, one driver will literally drive his vehicle or motorcycle on the sidewalk to get around another - while honking the horn, of course.
We are staying at the Park Hotel, the most extravagant and modern hotel I have ever seen. I have noticed the hotel employees are much more helpful than in the U.S.
We have a full day coming up, so I will write more later this evening.
From Jim Foley…
We have made it safely to Delhi! Both flights went great - arriving into Delhi about 8:30 p.m. Friday and arrived at our hotel around 10 p.m. The students are all in very good spirits, as you’ll see from the airport photo, “Welcome to Delhi.” They are all smiling even after the 13+ hour flight. Most said they got some sleep, and no one was sick.
The second photo shows our arrival to the hotel with flowers for each student.
Now they can get a full night’s rest, and our city tour of Delhi begins tomorrow.
More within a day or so.
From Jim Foley…
The Foster College of Business Administration is leading the first ever Bradley University undergraduate trip to India. The trip is during Spring Break and is part of a new course, “Doing Business in Indian Culture” - created as part of a U.S. Department of Education grant. The 14 students have been studying India’s culture, history, religion, and business practices since the semester began in January.
This ‘embedded’ Study Abroad format allows for maximum time for cultural and business visits in India since all course lectures are held on campus before and after the trip. The trip begins in Delhi, arriving late on Friday, March 13. Visits will include the Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Raj Ghat, India Gate, and the Taj Mahal. Students will also meet with the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade. On Monday, we will transfer to Chennai for three days for both cultural and business visits, including Peoria-based CGN & Associates and the Vellore Institute of Technology. On Thursday, we will make our final stop - Mumbai. A highlight of that visit will be to “Run with the Dabbawallas” in which students bring food from Indian homes to the workplace. We arrive back in Chicago on Sunday, March 22. We hope you enjoy our posts and pictures!
