Exciting semester this

CAN you imagine approximately 800 American students trying to see, perceive and understand India looking through a small pinhole? This pinhole was their knowledge of India and we were chosen by Rotary International District 3230 to widen their knowledge. Every year, Rotary selects and sponsors four students as Interport students to participate in the Semester at Sea programme. Semester at Sea is a learning venture organised by the Institute of Shipboard Education, University of Pittsburgh. About 800 American students undergo education on the Ship SS Universe Explorer that functions as a floating university. This ship travels to the four corners of the world and halts at 11 countries. India is one of them, and the ship halts at Chennai. This year, Skanda Shyamsundar and I were selected (Gayathri Veerramani) as Interport students for the Fall programme. We travelled to Penang and boarded the ship, there. We then sailed back with the students to Chennai. Our mission was to enlighten them about India and help them discover the country.

This was one more time I held my head high and proudly proclaimed that I was an Indian. The response was incredible. Most of them considered India to be a great country and almost all of them thought it was an interesting place. "I am Indian" - these words made me feel responsible for the students when they visited my homeland. And I hoped and prayed all of them would go back with pleasant memories.

As Interport students, we were to function as their source of practical knowledge about India. We were bombarded with questions when we went down the stairs, in the dining hall and in almost all places they could spot us. The questions were diverse. Almost all of them showed keen interest in the caste system that existed in India, and were amazed by our arranged marriages.

I still remember how happy I felt when a student told me that visiting India was also one important reason for his interest in the Semester at Sea programme.

We sailed for three days and four nights. Everyday from 8.30 to 9.30 in the morning, we had to attend the "Core." Various topics were discussed, all focussed on India. Arranged marriage, the various aspects of religion and the future of India were a few of the topics chosen. We had to tell them about the major concerns of youth in India, our aspirations and our dreams. Many Americans wanted to know what Indians thought about the U.S.

The most dominant feeling during my trip was a sense of security and pride to belong to such a great nation. I also became aware of how protected I was by my closely-knit family.

Then the day came - we reached Chennai. I knew my job was not done, because now they were going to see India. No two persons would see the same thing. On one side, they would see splendour and grandeur, and the finest things that one can find on earth. But on the other side, they were going to see poverty, suffering and pain of the worst kind. For the first time, I wished I could censor a few areas in Chennai. Every time we went inside and outside the port, there were so many unfortunate deprived children and senior citizens begging for money.

But I need not have worried so much. I felt thrilled when on the last day, my friend told me, "Gaya, in two years, I am coming back to your country. I have never seen a place like this."

Today, after SAS (Semester at Sea programme), I am very rich. I possess countless precious images that I can never lose. Images that will remind me of this great voyage. Images that will remind me of the immense joy I felt. Images that will remind me of the respect I saw in the eyes of Americans for India. This is the best thing that has happened to me and I will cherish every moment of this experience.

GAYATHRI VEERRAMANI

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