The most interesting part of the video was the diversity section, which proposed answers for the question, "Why do we need diversity?" One woman said that we need to create a curiosity about difference in everyone so that we can be more understanding about them. This question was raised many times during my program in Hyderabad. Why did we want to study abroad in India, or study abroad at all? What good would it do us as individuals, our community back home, and our Indian community? I was never quite sure what my answers were for these questions, but the Culture Shock video brought up some good points. It said that creating this diversity, both at our school in Hyderabad and when we return home, helps others realize that we are really not that different and begins a dialogue about other cultures that can resolve misunderstandings.
Another point that I identified with from the video was the advice that many students and faculty gave about joining clubs and getting involved on campus. This is something I wish I had done more of while I was in Hyderabad. I was lucky enough to have a host family and an apartment full of friendly neighbors to interact with and form genuine relationships with. However, I did not succeed in making those connections at school with many peers. I became friends with a few from class, but as the students in the video said, those were a bit superficial and were difficult to maintain once I returned home. I did form a great relationship with one professor, whom I am still in touch with, but if I had had the courage to join a club or group on campus, I could have had many more of these lasting relationships with peers. Our program directors told us about a former American student who was a great soccer player and used his skills to make friends all over campus. They said by the end of the semester, everyone on campus knew him as "the American soccer player." I wish I had used my talents or interests more to find Indian students I could relate to like he did!
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