Indian Adventure
Abby Wood
Issue date: 9/25/08 Section: Features
Like many other SAU students, Stephen Draper had a plan for his summer. He would spend some much-needed time at home, then travel with a soccer group running soccer camps in India. When his plans fell apart, as plans often do, his true adventure began.
“My older sister had spent a semester abroad in India and she knew of a school there where she suggested I do an internship,” said Draper, a junior social studies major from Taylor, Mich. From there he was connected with Nirman, a non-profit organization that works with children and families in India to provide quality education, as well as other services such as international exchange and unique opportunities in the arts. The organization has two school locations and is based out of Banaras (also known as Varanasi).
At the end of June, not knowing exactly what to expect, Draper packed his bags and headed for India.
“Monday through Thursday I taught gym classes at the main campus for grades K through 6,” said Draper, a captain for the SAU soccer team. “I was supposed to try and incorporate teaching English through those as well, which turned out to be pretty interesting,” Draper also taught classes on Western music which involved the students learning how to read sheet music.
On Fridays he then taught at the Betawar village, an additional campus for village children.
Draper was quickly drawn to the children that he taught while there.
“The experience challenged me to find and focus on the things that truly matter. Life is not just about power and influence,” Draper said earnestly.
When asked about his biggest challenge or breakthrough while in India, Draper was quick to respond.
“I guess more than anything it was just realizing that people there are just the same as us. I think when you go places with missions teams and things like that, it’s a lot harder to see people as they really are,” said Draper.
For him the trip stood out from past overseas experiences because of the relationships he was able to build in the time that he was there.
“When you are there actually living in the midst of everything everyday, and you go on your own, you see the culture manifest itself in different ways,” Draper said.
One thing he considers interesting about the Indian culture is that many of the smaller cities are actually very anti-modern. There is a strong focus on maintaining cultural heritage that has not been infiltrated by Hollywood, politics, or shopping malls.
While there, he also experienced first hand the strained relations between Pakistan and India.
“There were eight bombings the day that I left,” he said. This brought many issues portrayed in the media to life.
When asked what some of his favorite experiences were in Banaras, Stephen has many to share. His number one?
“Definitely buying a handmade sitar from Ravi Shankar’s sitar maker,” said Draper. He took lessons from a sitar guru during his visit. He also enjoyed visiting a classical Indian music concert, the famed Taj Mahal and Fatehpur Sikri.
Draper said one thing he took away from working with the organization was seeing the compassion of people who weren’t even Christians and experiencing how God can work through anyone anywhere.
“They were just people who wanted to do good for others out of a genuine love for mankind,” Draper said.
For other students considering a trip like this Draper is quick to encourage them to try it.
“Travel outside of your comfort zone,” Draper said. “Try to establish authenticate relationships. Stray from the beaten path.” It just may lead to the journey of a lifetime.
More information about Nirman can be found online at http://nirman.info.
“My older sister had spent a semester abroad in India and she knew of a school there where she suggested I do an internship,” said Draper, a junior social studies major from Taylor, Mich. From there he was connected with Nirman, a non-profit organization that works with children and families in India to provide quality education, as well as other services such as international exchange and unique opportunities in the arts. The organization has two school locations and is based out of Banaras (also known as Varanasi).
At the end of June, not knowing exactly what to expect, Draper packed his bags and headed for India.
“Monday through Thursday I taught gym classes at the main campus for grades K through 6,” said Draper, a captain for the SAU soccer team. “I was supposed to try and incorporate teaching English through those as well, which turned out to be pretty interesting,” Draper also taught classes on Western music which involved the students learning how to read sheet music.
On Fridays he then taught at the Betawar village, an additional campus for village children.
Draper was quickly drawn to the children that he taught while there.
“The experience challenged me to find and focus on the things that truly matter. Life is not just about power and influence,” Draper said earnestly.
When asked about his biggest challenge or breakthrough while in India, Draper was quick to respond.
“I guess more than anything it was just realizing that people there are just the same as us. I think when you go places with missions teams and things like that, it’s a lot harder to see people as they really are,” said Draper.
For him the trip stood out from past overseas experiences because of the relationships he was able to build in the time that he was there.
“When you are there actually living in the midst of everything everyday, and you go on your own, you see the culture manifest itself in different ways,” Draper said.
One thing he considers interesting about the Indian culture is that many of the smaller cities are actually very anti-modern. There is a strong focus on maintaining cultural heritage that has not been infiltrated by Hollywood, politics, or shopping malls.
While there, he also experienced first hand the strained relations between Pakistan and India.
“There were eight bombings the day that I left,” he said. This brought many issues portrayed in the media to life.
When asked what some of his favorite experiences were in Banaras, Stephen has many to share. His number one?
“Definitely buying a handmade sitar from Ravi Shankar’s sitar maker,” said Draper. He took lessons from a sitar guru during his visit. He also enjoyed visiting a classical Indian music concert, the famed Taj Mahal and Fatehpur Sikri.
Draper said one thing he took away from working with the organization was seeing the compassion of people who weren’t even Christians and experiencing how God can work through anyone anywhere.
“They were just people who wanted to do good for others out of a genuine love for mankind,” Draper said.
For other students considering a trip like this Draper is quick to encourage them to try it.
“Travel outside of your comfort zone,” Draper said. “Try to establish authenticate relationships. Stray from the beaten path.” It just may lead to the journey of a lifetime.
More information about Nirman can be found online at http://nirman.info.
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