News Release

Students experience India

February 11, 2008

For most college students, the holiday break in December and January means extended time at home with family and friends.

But for 11 Penn State students, the holiday break turned into a remarkable learning experience in India.

The 11 students, representing Penn State campuses in Harrisburg, Brandywine, University Park, and Erie, took part in a Dec. 28 to Jan 10 study tour to India organized by Penn State Harrisburg’s Office of International Programs.

The study tour was the culmination of semester-long courses in Liberal Arts and Business offered by Penn State Harrisburg extended to the other locations. The students prepared for the trip in a variety of ways, including classroom studies, readings, and web postings.

The India study tour is one of a number in international experiences offered this year by Penn State Harrisburg. Upcoming trips include: Brazil, March 7 to 15; Morocco, May 8 to 17; and London, May 12 to 27.

Associate Professor of Humanities and History Louise Hoffman and Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering Ram Goel taught the respective courses and led students on the tour.

Both sets of classes shared time in Delhi and New Delhi visiting religious, historical, and business sites, and in Agra, visiting the Taj Mahal. The business students then went to Punjab state with visits to businesses and technology enterprises representing the “new India.” They also traveled to the border with Pakistan.

Dr. Hoffman and the liberal arts students traveled to Rajasthan, visiting locations sacred to three religions, important architectural and historic sites, museums, and the village of an ethnic minority group. Dr. Hoffman says, “Rajasthan was formerly made up of 22 princely states and offers a multitude of palaces and a myriad of cultural and educational opportunities for students.”

“Each student is completing an individual project and a travel journal,” she adds.

For one student on the study tour, Penn State Erie freshman Maya Hoffman, the experience was more than educational – it was a trip to her birthplace. Maya explains, “I was born in India and my mother adopted me at the age of 5. Going to the Penn State trip to India was very personal to me. It was my first trip back to India and even though I did not visit the place I was born, it was still amazing to go back.

“I think the most touching part of the trip for me was going to the Birla Temple because I am Hindu and the temple is one of the most famous in India. Another part that touched me was seeing the Raj Ghat, where Gandhi was cremated, since to Indians he is known at the Father of the Nation. The Taj Mahal is also remarkable.”