The Center for South Asia continued for the second year to provide training and orientation for 15 teachers traveling to India this summer in the Fulbright-Hays Seminars Abroad program.
The center, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Education and with the United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF) in New Delhi, provided practical and educational information.
The teachers arrived in Madison for two days jam-packed with lectures, practical information and Q&A sessions, cultural events, and meals in a variety of South Asian restaurants before departing for New Delhi, India.
The Pre-Departure Program included a South Indian vocal recital by Vanitha Suresh, a meeting local children's author Kashmira Sheth and a display of rare textiles and miniatures by Maya Lea and Drew Stevens in the Chazen Museum of Art.
The teachers also learned a few basic phrases in Hindi from the Center for South Asia Associate Director Lalita du Perron, and listened to some of the best speakers at UW-Madison.
Dr. Mitra Sharafi spoke about Indian history in a highly accessible manner and Dr. Aseema Sinha spoke engagingly on "India: A revolution of Rising Expectations" and Dr Kirin Narayan told a variety of Indian stories.
The Pre-Departure Orientation was organized by Rachel Weiss, Mike Kruse and Matt Sebranek of the Center for South Asia, and attended by UW-Madison alumnus Adam Grotsky, USIEF Director, and USIEF Senior Program officer Girish Kaul.
The Center for South Asia Director Dr. J. Mark Kenoyer gave the welcoming address.