India 2 Weeks Summer School Programme 2017 - India Immersion Programme

Hi! My name is Parth Kamleshkumar, pursuing a degree in Economics and Accounting at Brunel University London.

It was back in May, 2016 when I received an email from Brunel faculty about two weeks of Summer programme at Amity University in India. I didn’t wait a moment to send my application to go ahead with this programme. After a successful interview, I was one of the eight students being selected for this programme and the only student from the first year from my course. At first, I was abit nervous as it was completely new experience with higher level students in a completely different continent. But, I was excited to meet new people and experience new adventures in life.

So the day came when I landed in India on 24^th of August at Mumbai Airport. It was such a nice sunny weather. I landed at Delhi Airport the following day where a student from Amity University India was there to welcome and receive me. After a long hectic journey, I was knackered and needed some rest. After having a nap I was met some of the Amity University Student buddies who accompanied me every where since I was unknown to the place. My first day in Amity was amazing: the Indian food in Wallstreet, the arcadia and all the other facilities it has to offer.

Amity Guest House

After two days, on 26^th August, all my fellow students from Brunel and faculties arrived. I was waiting for them as I wanted to get started with this programme of India Immersion Programme with my fellow buddies and the students from Amity.

So the programme started with the lunch on Sunday afternoon with the Dean of Amity university and few student buddies from Amity university. The dean impressed me with his speech on Indian culture and history. The Dean gave us a brief structure on how the programme is going to run for the next two weeks. I just couldn’t wait to get started on Monday.

It was Monday morning where we all got ready for our first lecture. We were greeted traditionally with the “Tilak” and flowers before we entered the lecture building. In our first lectures, the Dean and the head faculties joined us and lighted the candles as a sign of good start. We were given our time table for the upcoming 2 weeks along with the new Amity University bag. I personally loved the design and the creation of the bag. I will be attaching the picture of it below. Our lecturer started the lecture on Indian history and why India Matters to the world. I was so keen to learn about this. The first week of our programme included the lectures on Indian history, cuisine, cultures, ambassadors, India at a glance and why India matters to the world. I got to learn a lot in this one week about India.

Way to Lecture

First Lecture

Bag from Amity

Everyday after lecture, the students used to organise some events or outings in DLF mall i.e. in a restaurant, arcade or Noida sightseeing, etc. Every day was hectic and adventures. We went to an amusement park which was as fun as Thorpe park. It took me time to get used to the weather over there as it was so warm but I enjoyed the sunny weather giving me a chance to wear summer clothes.

The first week was over and it felt like home staying with students from Amity, Brunel and Kent Universities. We all stayed with each other like a family. I was no more nervous as I got involved with my peers. 

On the second week, our schedule was to visit companies and know about how they work and operate in India i.e. Industrial visits. We visited companies like Amul, Shivalik Prints LTD., Bombay Stock exchange which was my intended visit as this related to something I wanted to do in future and few other companies and factories. I learned a lot from these industrial visits on how the companies operate and produce their goods. Automation has taken place in India i.e. Amul products were products using machinery mainly than labour. I was enthralled by that.

We used weekends for sight seeing and tourism. The places we visited were Taj Mahal (one of the 8 wonders of the world), India Gate, Parliament, Lodhi garden, Rajghat and one of my favourite visits I have ever had was my visit to Akshardham. I cant describe how beautiful the temple was. The boat ride, the robotic show and especially an attractive water show, it went shiver down my spine. I went giddy with joy. One of the places that fascinated me were the buffet restaurants in India. All the grilled food as starts and the options of Indian recipes and food to choose from. It felt like a family night out with dinner at this time.

Akshardham Temple

Akshardham Temple

Akshardham Water Show

Rickshaw ride to parliament

Iskon Temple

Iskon Temple

Iskon Temple

Outside Gurudwara

Iskon Temple 

At Rajghat

India Gate

At Gurudwara

Lodhi garden

At India Gate

At India Gate 

Taj Mahal

At Lodhi Garden

                                            

                                                                 Iskon Temple

Throughout this programme, I experienced many things which I never experienced before. I made new friends. I had an insight into Indian history, its culture and had a taste of delicious recipes of Indian cuisine.

Most importantly, the student buddies and faculties from Amity University India were always there to accompany us. “Atithi Devo Bhava” meaning “Guest is God”, Indian respect for their guests is so true. We were treated with respect, love and care all the time.

One of the moments that I will forever cherish is how I was called on the stage on teacher’s day to be wished Happy Birthday as it was my birthday on the day. It was 5^th September, the teachers’ day in India. I remember we were called up on the stage to perform a dance unprepared. And we performed a dance on “Despacito” song along with the 3 students from Kent University who also joined this programme.

Another campus of Amity University in Delhi, on 5th September (Teachers' Day)

The summer school ended with the graduation function where we were given our certificates and gifts for completion of this programme successfully and eventually there was a party where we all danced and expressed our happiness.

The two weeks ended so quickly with lots of cherishable moments. I am glad I decided to join this summer school programme. On my way back to airport on the last day, I was recalling the past two weeks I enjoyed with people who I didn’t even know 2 weeks ago.

Moreover, when landed in India, I saw one of the famous Bollywood  actor “Salman Khan” and on my way back to London I saw the famous cricketer “Kapil Dev”, at airport. This added so much to my trip as I started my trip by seeing an actor live and ending the trip by seeing a cricketer.

This summer school was one of my best lifetime experience, especially because it was in different country and continent since I met people from different backgrounds, cultures and religions. Even after coming back to London, I am still in contact with everyone who contributed to this programme. I will always remember these 2 weeks I spent in India with all the lovely and amazing people. My respect and love to everyone from Amity University India, Brunel University London and Kent Univerisity who made this programme happened.

Outside buffet restaurant in DLF Mall of India

Outside buffet restaurant in DLF mall of India