Friday, September 30, 2011

Engaged Learning and Integrated Learning Experience at its Best!

Over the past five weeks, the the students have been working very hard to understand India from an interdisciplinary perspective.  Readings for all four classes are from a variety of peer-reviewed journals, published books, government and NGO reports, and textbooks etc.,  All four courses for this term are interconnected and the faculty directors have spent over a years time in bringing it all together.  Getting such an enriching educational experience at Furman doesn’t come without some pains.  Everyday classes, volumes of daily reading, extended hours to complete labs, weekly exams, blog-writing assignments, take-home exams, GIS term projects and finding some sleep when possible have been the routine for both faculty directors and the students.  These pains are nothing in comparison to the pleasures of connecting dots and gaining a broader understanding and a deeper appreciation for the complexities in the human-natural environment interface.  One blog entry can hardly capture the excitement and the myriad of things awaiting us.  We leave in a week, but still have unfinished parts to take care of.  This is just the beginning.  Come back for more.

Students working on developing the framework presented in “India Unbound, by Gurcharan Das” book.

 

 
Group discussion in progress.

Friday, September 23, 2011

An Experience of a Life Time!

This blog page will be used to share travel logs, and photos with friends and family members of India Study Away program at Furman University.  Please visit often to get updates.  You can also sign-up with your email (on the right side) to get automatic updates from this blog.

It all starts right here! 

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Meeting with the group - India fever on!

The students and the faculty of India Study Away program met over dinner to socialize in Dr. Muthukrishnan's residence. Students were treated with delicious Indian food catered from Safron Indian Restaurant. Girls had an opportunity to put Mehndi (temporary herbal tattoos)