My visit to the Manav Gulzar Community Centre in India was an experience that deeply touched my heart and soul, reaffirming my belief that love is the answer to many of the problems the world now faces. Nestled in a vibrant slum neighbourhood, the centre stood as a symbol of hope, drawing us into its…Continue Reading Love is left behind
Growing up in New Zealand really cemented my passion for nature and the environment. Never really being too far from nature, even in our biggest cities where trees decorate our pavements and the abundance of parks. My instinctual reaction to a new place is to look around and up – looking for green in the…Continue Reading The Natural Beauty of India
“The single story creates stereotypes, and the problem with stereotypes is not that they aren’t true, but they are incomplete. They make one story become the only story.” Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie My visit to Dharavi challenged the single story often associated with places like Dharavi, where negative connotations overshadow the vibrant community that thrives within. Before…Continue Reading The Danger of a Single Story
Having travelled across India for the past 17 days, I have developed many invaluable insights not just about this diverse and culturally rich nation, but also about the depths of my own character. The journey has been a revelation in many ways, teaching me about resilience, the importance of diversity, and also human innovation that…Continue Reading Lessons on Discovering Resilience, Diversity and Innovation in India
This story was originally posted on University of Waikato’s Global Experiences blog. by Jaeden Moore The wild world of India has already far exceeded all the expectations I could have imagined. From walking through a food forest, and catching rickshaws through the nightlife of Pondicherry, to where I am currently – writing my blog post…Continue Reading India with Fresh Eyes
This story was originally posted on University of Waikato’s Global Experiences blog. by Saya Karauna This week I have been immersed in the rich diversity of India. I am sitting under a tree in an ashram where the ants are as big as flies and an ox has just hauled a load of people beside…Continue Reading Immersive Experiences So Far
This story was originally posted on University of Waikato’s Global Experiences blog.by Emma Spence The plane descends, Chennai’s embrace,A vibrant canvas, diverse in grace.Bustling airport, a lively affair,Colours and music dance in the air. Pondicherry, a blend unique,French and Indian stories speak.Auroville’s dream, in harmony spun,Sustainable lessons under the sun. Temples, ashrams, schools, a diverse…Continue Reading Atithi Devo Bhava – The Guest is God
This story was originally posted on University of Waikato’s Global Experiences blog. by Sheldon Rogers I would call myself a fairly ‘seasoned’ traveller having spent a total of seven years of my life living away from New Zealand in various places of the world. However, the feelings of excitement and nervousness were still there when…Continue Reading The Start of a New Perspective
While the humid air outside Chennai Airport filled my lungs last Sunday, I was mentally preparing myself for 6 weeks of unfamiliarity. Yet, this first week in India has brought me profound moments of connection and whanaungatanga. Unexpected bonds over food, gender, and linguistic identity grounded my mauri and uplifted my wairua, just as any…Continue Reading Finding Whanaungatanga – Unexpected connections during my first week in India
He aha te mea nui o tea o? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata. What is the most important thing in the world? It is the people, it is the people, it is the people. How long does it take for strangers to become whānua (family)? Sometimes, as quick as a camera flash. I am…Continue Reading It is the people that make the place