Cultural Immersion & Community Service in India

I went on this program less than a month after graduating college, and my only regret is that I did not stay in India longer! This program taught me so much, not only about India, different cultures, religion, and gender issues, but also about myself. The six weeks flew by too quickly and going on this trip was such an amazing experience I would recommend to anyone. Traveling could be hard at times and I would not suggest India to the faint of heart, but that being said I felt extremely safe traveling with my two amazing program leaders, Claire and James, and even during our independent travel time when we broke off into smaller groups and were without our program leaders. I loved every second of this program and am so grateful that my first time in India was with such an amazing group. That is one thing that really made the trip, was the group and the discussions we would have during our puelas (group activities/discussions). The group we traveled with got to know each other on a deeper level and we were all able to support one another through the hard parts of traveling. I will never forget waiting for a train for at least 3 hours in the heat, which would have normally been an awful experience but the group turned it into a memory I will never forget that included singing, storytelling, and lots of laughs! This program was amazing and I would chose to go on it again!

Operation Groundswell's India: Gender and Religion trip was phenomenal. I went there with the expectation to learn things beyond what I could get from a classroom, university education. I ended up getting that, and then some. The trip is still something I've reflected on almost every day since. Whether it's remembering my amazing group members & program leaders, or remembering the individuals and organizations I got to connect with, to stray dogs I wish I could've taken home with me and to moments where I struggled, but can now laugh about. India is a an amazing, complex country, and as one of my group members put it, you will see stunning imagery in the same frame as something heartbreaking...but it is so worth it. And I would love to go back someday.
As for day to day experiences, our group leaders put together a pretty thorough itinerary which consisted of things like consistently meeting/volunteering with local organizations, going for sunset boat rides and sunrise walks along the ghats in Varanasi, hiking up the foothills of the Himalayas, checking out the delicious curries and treats in local restaurants, and meeting His Holiness the 17th Karmapa (no big deal)!

There were so many highlights from the trip, honestly it's tough to pin down one, or even just a few. Definitely Dharamshala in the Himalaya's was a huge highlight for me, I loved the Tibetan Buddhist influence and learning from local Tibetan organizations was certainly something I found incredibly fascinating to be able to do. Sleeping under the stars was also tops. On one of the nights we slept under the stars, we were in a rural farming area outside of Varanasi, and we had the chance to fall asleep to Hindu prayer chants and hand drums being played all night long from a near by village. And to add one more, our sunrise dip in the Ganga River was the perfect, icy way to cool off from a humid sleep.

As for difficulties...the heat is absolutely a drag. But I found with that, you drink lots of water and it's all about mind over matter...and learning to embrace the grunge life. Especially when you're cramped up on a bus for nearly 30 hours. But these are the kinds of stories you get to humblebrag about to your friends at the bar when you get home later.

It'll definitely be an experience you carry with you for a lifetime.

I completely loved the program and the trip to India. After I got selected and was given the opportunity to join the team, I received an email which said that this will be one of the best summer you would have. I cannot agree more. I have had the chance to meet 13 amazing people. I explored places with the group, completed tasks, met people in certain organizations that inspired me and I can go on and on about it. Even though it can be chaotic at times, India is beautiful. Everyday there is a new experience and all of our team members always had some stories to share at the end of the day. The trip gave me beautiful memories and one should surely think about going there with Operation Groundswell. Thank you team leaders (James and Claire) for being with us and making us enjoy so much.

The OG India Gender and Religion program was one of the best things I have ever done. I'm 21 years old and I'm currently in university. This trip was so amazing because of the connection I created with my group. My grope consisted of all girls, expect for my wonderful PL James! The day to day grind in India can be difficult at times, but always an adventurer. The streets are extremely busy, and chaotic, but you learn very quickly how to get by!
Life happens when you travel, so there are defiantly moments of distress, but that's when my amazing group came in and I was able to learn how to communicate effectively and get the support I needed.
One of the most stand out parts of my trip would be, on the seventh day my group had travelled to rural Varanasi and we were staying at a school called Loc Samite. During the evening of are two day stay, we decided as a group to go for a walk in a field near by. I remember standing in the field thinking "I can't believe Im standing in a field in the middle of India". Totally unreal feeling.
Overall, take the leap and just do it. It will completely change you from the inside out.

I cannot recommend this trip more to anyone and everyone looking for an amazing adventure! From the culture, the people, the views, the activities, the FOOD, this trip was one of the best decisions I've ever made. During those 6 short weeks I learned an incredible amount about myself, about what it means to be a volunteer, and about life in general. I now feel much more comfortable traveling on my own and cannot wait to go back!!