Finishing up PDO

Once more, today has been cram-packed with information. We had speakers on India's Development: Patterns and Trends (all about the amazing economic growth of the country), India's Colonial History (learned lots of information to use when I teach about Gandhi), and even more Hindi - like how to bargain in Hindi when shopping. We also had a speaker who gave us a huge packet of resources for teachers to use when teaching about India, complete with multiple lesson plans. In addition, a group of former Fulbrighters from the Wisconsin area came and talked with us about their experiences and gave ideas for our curriculum projects that we are required to complete. They said that it will be a lot of hard work, but worth every minute. It was interesting having a representative from the US Dept of Education who oversees the Fulbright Hays seminars. Among other things, she told us that this trip is worth $15,168 per person. In other words, a lot has been invested in each of us so we better do our follow up project and behave while we're in India! 'Guess I better leave my mini skirt in the suitcase. :) Tomorrow we will be packing and heading to the airport and will arrive in Delhi on Friday, so I won't be writing for a couple of days at least. I think I'll go work on converting dollars to rupees so I won't seem so math challenged in front of the others! Talk again soon...

June 28 - July 30 Predeparture Orientation

The other 15 participants and I are here in Madison, Wisconsin for some pretty intensive training before we leave on Wednesday. The group is made up of teachers from all over the U.S. - several of them on their third Fulbright trip. We have two former Peace Corps volunteers and people who have gone everywhere. Needless to say, I feel like I'm the least traveled one in the bunch! None of us have been to India, though; it is interesting being with a group of folks who all seem to be very passionate about what they do.
We are in "sessions" from 8-8 with Fulbright staff and various guest lecturers. We have had a session on basic Hindi - "Meraa naam Susan hai" (my name is Susan), ancient Indus civilizations, religion in India, Indian art and architecture. Tonight, we had a guest author, Kashmira Sheth, visit for a book talk. She came to the U.S. as a teenager from India and now writes children's books set in India, or with Indian characters. The Fulbright foundation purchased two of her books for each of us and she was able to sign them for everyone. We have had one classical Indian music performance by a group and have been taken to two Indian restaurants for instruction on the foods and the proper way to eat them! Tomorrow, we have another Hindi lesson, as well as lectures on various other topics. I think we're all kind of on information overload and are eager to "get there" and see all the amazing things we're being told about!